A Carnegie Mellon University study has led to recommendations to stave off property blight and abandonment in Braddock.

The study, "Braddock Revitalization -- Vacant and Abandoned Properties in the Borough of Braddock," was released Dec. 12 by Carnegie Mellon's H. John Heinz School of Public Policy and Management.

A team of students called the Braddock Systems Synthesis Team created the study, which features Geographic Information Systems maps that detail areas of blight and regions of potential growth within Braddock.

The study also identified 113 buildings that qualified for demolition and 374 with potential for rehabilitation in the borough.

Braddock Mayor John Fetterman said the efforts made by the team add "greater force and legitimacy to the urgency of the situation in Braddock."

He added: "It helps document a lot of the things we've already been discussing out here, this need to have a comprehensive inventory on lots and properties."

In addition to tracking properties, the study also suggests that the borough immediately hire a tax collector; allow conditional use of some abandoned structures; create a Braddock Opportunity Guide for residents to better utilize local resources; allow volunteers to maintain outdoor recreational facilities; and help community members use information found in the study.

It also lists medium-term goals to board up abandoned properties; rezone commercial properties to mixed-use residential; develop an early warning system to track houses in danger of abandonment; and to create specific criteria for properties scheduled for demolition.

Long-term solutions include land-banking initiatives to purchase abandoned properties, the purchase of land scheduled to be used for the Mon-Fayette Expressway and to begin a Braddock Weed and Seed program.

Dr. Joel Tarr, faculty adviser for the team, said it is vital that the borough acquires, and makes it easier for residents to acquire, abandoned lots and properties.

"There are a number of structures that are basically sound that can be rehabilitated with some sweat equity," he said. "These structures can be an asset to attracting people to the city."

Dr. Tarr said many of those properties would be more attainable if not for tax liens that are often higher than the fair market value of properties.

The study notes that Braddock properties show almost $200,000 in tax liens, even though the borough hasn't filed any liens with the prothonotary since 1999.

The study suggests that Braddock's borough manager help residents use the Allegheny County Economic Development's Vacant Property Recovery Program, which allows relief for tax liens if the property is developed.

It also suggests that Braddock should work with other communities to encourage change in Allegheny County sheriff's sales, which require that properties sold recoup tax liens plus the cost for bringing them to sale.

Mr. Fetterman said the borough is engaged in many of the recommendations made by the study, such as the purchase of vacant homes through development agencies, urban farming and targeted outreach to raise arts awareness in Braddock. But he also said he hopes initiatives to purchase and rehabilitate abandoned properties can be implemented.

"For every home that's abandoned, that's an IOU to the demolition company for $8,000, not to mention the effect it has on the community," he said.

Demolition is the primary tool used to deal with abandoned and dilapidated buildings in the borough.

"Why should the borough pay $8,000 to tear down a house if somebody wants to take it on for free?" Mr. Fetterman asked.

But the only way many of the study's suggestions will become reality, according to Dr. Tarr, is if local government leaders work together to make it happen.

"If borough council and the mayor can get some kind of consensus about solving some of these issues, the borough can begin to move ahead and provide a model for other Mon Valley communities," he said.