Westmoreland County Land Bank APRIL KOPAS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 N. PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE FIFTH FLOOR, SUITE 520 GREENSBURG, PA 15601 WWW.CO.WESTMORELANDLANDBANK.COM
The Cost of Blight Vacant or delinquent lowers values within 500 feet by 2.1% Vacant and delinquent lowers values by 2.7% Foreclosed lowers values by 3.9% Foreclosed, vacant and delinquent lowers values by 9.4% Source: The Impact of Vacant, Tax-Delinquent and Foreclosed Property on Sales Prices of Neighboring Homes. Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. October 2011
What Blight Looks Like
What is a Land Bank A Land Bank is a governmental entity that focuses on the conversion of vacant, abandoned, taxdelinquent, and foreclosed properties into productive use. Examples: Side Lot Disposition Affordable Housing Commercial Redevelopment Green Space, Parks Economic Development
Land Banks in Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Act 153- signed by Governor on October 24, 2012 Land Bank Jurisdiction population > than 10,000 persons LB s target tax-foreclosed properties-no powers of eminent domain LB s can own, construct, demolish, rehab, lease, or dispose of real property Westmoreland County adopted ordinance on December 19, 2013 Westmoreland County Land Bank has 7 Board members and is staffed by the Redevelopment Authority
Participating in the Land Bank The municipality is willing to make a financial commitment for programmatic costs. The municipality and school district are willing to waive tax liens and municipal liens and realty transfer taxes. The municipality and the school district are willing to share future tax revenue at 50% for 5 years with the LB after the property is redeveloped and is taxable. The municipality is willing to maintain properties acquired until the properties are repurposed.
Land Bank Activity 22 municipalities and 13 respective school districts: Boroughs-Mount Pleasant, Youngwood, Scottdale, South Greensburg, West Newton, Irwin, Derry, Trafford, Manor, Vandergrift, Sutersville Cities-Jeannette, Latrobe, Greensburg, Lower Burrell Townships-Mount Pleasant, Sewickley, Hempfield, Unity, Derry, Allegheny, Rostraver Inventory properties for consideration- 75 properties acquired; 46parcels sold; 2 leased ;6 optioned Donations Tax Sales Purchases Project funds Demolition Rehabilitation Foundations Commercial Stabilization In-kind services RACW staffing, Tax Claim and Assessment, IT, GIS, municipalities Acquisition and disposition agreements, applicant qualification forms, sales agreements, project agreements, etc. Website for transparency of policies and properties
Side-lots to Stabilize Neighborhoods
Affordable Housing Rehabilitation Tax delinquent properties acquired by Land Bank then rehabilitated for resale to low-to- moderate income families.
Affordable Housing Development Donation of seven properties from a Family Estate for possible new construction of affordable housing development in Latrobe. Potential for 17, 3-bedroom units for moderate income families. Acquisition of two single-family homes sharing a lot in Greensburg s health care district. Transferred to Habitat Humanity for rehabilitation and resale to two consumer families.
Community Development Urban Garden and Transportation Enhancement Project Community Park Project Active Greening and Community Enhancement Projects
Commercial Development Jeannette Route 30 Redevelopment The Land Bank acquired the five parcels comprising the medical center in October 2014 at judicial sale. The Land Bank cleared the $4.7 million IRS lien in February 2015 and executed an agreement to address the $3.2 million lien placed by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. Agreement of Sale with developer for $3 million in new improvements as Jayhawk Commons - a mix of retail and commercial development.
Code Enforcement and Land Bank Help create blight list of nuisance properties and review frequently to set priorities for acquisition. Incentivize current owners. Court, fines, fees, timelines, give options to donate to the Land Bank. Strategic code enforcement. Vacant property registrations. Quality of Life ordinances. Rental registrations. Lien properties for municipal services. Show up for court tax sales, sale challenges, appeal tax. Cite lenders. Encourage donations to Land Bank. Assist in finding people owners and buyers. Evaluate Land Bank properties upon acquisition. Identify reuse opportunities and weigh in on disposition agreements /redevelopment plans.
Thank You! April Kopas, Executive Director RACW and WCLB 40 N. Pennsylvania Avenue Fifth Floor, Suite 520 Greensburg, Pa 15601 724-830-3366 akopas@co.westmoreland.pa.us www.co.westmorelandlandbank.com