Redevelopment authority to pay for lots, demolition
The Uniontown Redevelopment Authority on Tuesday approved paying for the demolition of two houses and agreed to buy two lots that have residential structures that also will be demolished. Pending title searches, the authority agreed to purchase one lot at 48 and 48 Rear Walnut St. for $19,000 and the adjacent lot at 46 and 461/2 Walnut St. for $5,500.
Both of the properties are in the target area where the authority, Community Action of Fayette County and Threshold Housing of Uniontown are partnering to build 25 single-family homes. “It’s part of our revitalization program for that area,” said Mark Yauger, authority executive director.
The authority is using an Elm Street Reinvestment Grant to buy the Walnut Street lots and has used the grant to buy other lots that are being accumulated in anticipation of receiving another grant that would be used to build the 25 homes, said Yauger.
An abandoned and blighted three-unit apartment building currently stands on the 48-481/2 Rear Walnut St. lot, and a blighted house and garage occupies 46-461/2 Walnut St., he said. The buildings on both lots would be demolished after the lots are purchased.
Board member also authorized payment of $6,000 to Ritenour and Sons Construction of Connellsville for the demolition of a house at 19 Gordon St. and $3,900 for a house at 49 Millview St.
Arsons left both houses in unsafe condition and they already have been demolished, Yauger said.
The authority will file a lien against the Millview Street and Gordon Street properties so the cost of the demolitions can be recovered when the lots are sold, he said.
Turning to other business, the authority received less than it expected from this year’s Community Development Block Grant program.
Yauger said the authority received $366,298, even though it was told by the state Department of Community and Economic Development to anticipate 1 percent less than the $389,000 it received in 2006.
The authority’s CDBG allocation has fallen dramatically since it was granted $480,000 in 2001.
Uniontown Mayor James Sileo urged board members to contact local representatives in Congress and President Bush and ask for more grant money.
“I’m very disturbed at what’s going on,” Sileo said. “Let your voiced be heard,”
In other business, the authority:
– Approved paying O.C. Cluss Lumber $402 for building materials used at the East End Fire Station.
– Renewed its annual membership with the Fayette Chamber of Commerce for $221.
– Rescheduled its annual meeting to 7 p.m. May 8 at Meloni’s Restaurant.