Monessen joins Westmoreland County Land Bank
By Taylor Brown
tbrown@yourmvi.com
Monessen is the newest member of the a county-wide land bank initiative.
The city, along with the Monessen School District, have joined the Westmoreland County Land Bank.
The land bank is an extension of the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Westmoreland, enacted in 2012.
A land bank offers tools and powers necessary to obtain site control and move forward with action plans for municipalities.
With the addition of Monessen, the land bank in Westmoreland County assists 25 municipalities and 15 school districts.
Mayor Matt Shorraw said the move is a step forward for the city.
“The partnership with the Westmoreland County Land Bank is an exciting step for the city,” Shorraw said. “This is something I have been wanted to see happen for several years, and I’m glad we have finally accomplished it with the help of city council and the Monessen School District,”
The mayor hopes the new partnership will build on the city’s potential.
“I am hopeful, that through the land bank, we will be able to help potential homeowners and entrepreneurs obtain vacant properties that have fallen through the cracks and been tied up with absentee owners, liens, and other issues,” Shorraw said.
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