City task force tries to turn around blighted properties
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Members of a new city task force will spend the next few months working on a plan to systematically flip blighted properties for redevelopment or green space.
Pittsburgh is one of 15 cities nationwide selected to receive land-reclamation support from a coalition of groups, including the National Vacant Properties Campaign and the Michigan-based Mott Foundation.
In its inaugural meeting Thursday, the 25 members of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's Land Recycling Task Force heard from Dan Kildee, chairman of the Genesee County Land Bank in Flint, Mich. Also speaking was Amy Hovey, a consultant for the land bank.
The land bank uses a streamlined foreclosure law for buying and returning tax-delinquent properties to productive use.
Mr. Ravenstahl and Kim Graziani, director of neighborhood initiatives, envision a similar program here. Ms. Graziani said delinquent, vacant properties are a burden to neighbors who pay taxes and maintain their properties.
Ms. Graziani said the task force -- made up of government officials and neighborhood leaders -- will study ways to acquire properties so they can be used for green space or sites for housing or businesses. But officials said the program isn't a tool for going after hard-working homeowners who have fallen on hard times and fallen slightly behind in their taxes.
"We're not going to throw anybody out of their house," state Rep. Dan Deasy, D-Westwood, who attended Thursday's meeting, said.
Mr. Deasy said he believes the program has the potential to change significantly the city's appearance and help neighborhoods help themselves.
"These neighborhoods need a plan. Maybe this is a plan," he said
Ms. Graziani said the full task force will meet quarterly. In the interim, she said, a smaller working group will begin to flesh out the program.
First Published March 6, 2010 12:00 am
