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Erie Land Bank approves modified development terms, several property sales and tax exoneration
Summary
At its Aug. 18 meeting, the Erie Land Bank approved a request from Eastside Renaissance to modify development terms on three rehabilitation parcels, waived a deed-escrow provision for a bank-financed project at 1737 West Sixth Street, approved multiple land sales and passed a tax-exoneration resolution; one contested sale was tabled after a tie.
The Erie Land Bank on Aug. 18 approved modified development terms for three properties being rehabilitated by Eastside Renaissance, removed a deed-escrow/mortgage requirement for a bank-financed project at 1737 West Sixth Street, approved multiple side-lot and vacant-lot sales and passed a tax-exoneration resolution that staff will forward to the local school district for its approval.
The board approved Eastside Renaissance’s request to waive a $10,000 escrow requirement for 405 and 407 East Seventh Street, 612 East Ninth Street and 606 East Eleventh Street sold as a package, and to instead set a single $200 per-month development fee for the three parcels. The board’s action preserves the land bank’s ability to pursue notice-of-default enforcement but eliminates the upfront escrow the developer said would inhibit renovation activity.
The board also voted to waive Section 32 of the developer agreement for 1737 West Sixth Street, removing a deed-in-escrow and enforcement-mortgage clause that had worried the parcel’s lender. Solicitor staff told the board that Marquette Savings Bank, which is financing the Steve Lewis contracting project, would be likely to see the construction through if the developer could not complete it, making the reverter clause unnecessary in this case. The board approved the resolution by voice vote.
Votes on several land dispositions carried by voice vote. The board approved the sale of a side lot at 110 East 20 Second Street; the conveyance of 920 West Sixteenth Street (and coordination to convey 920 1/2, a Redevelopment Authority parcel, together with the adjoining owner at 922 West Sixteenth Street); and a sale of 2708 Downing Street for $5,000, consistent with the land bank’s policy pricing for corner lots. For 443 East Sixteenth Street, two competing proposals were considered — Erie's Black Wall Street proposed a community garden and Erie County proposed relocating small “tiny home” units as part of a county rehab program. A motion to sell to Erie's Black Wall Street failed on a 2–2 recorded vote (Sumner and Dana in favor; Paul and Chris opposed). The board then voted to table the parcel to the next meeting and asked staff to provide additional plans and density information from both proponents.
The board also approved the consent agenda and minutes, accepted the finance report, and passed a resolution requesting tax exoneration for a number of properties; staff will forward the school-district request for their approval as part of the conveyance process. In staff reports, the executive director said the land bank holds 91 properties, 30 with structures; 14 of those are under contract for demolition and 16 are under realtor proposals or evaluation.
The board discussed next steps on the 2025 tax-sale list and heard staff say about 40 city properties currently remain on the list, with plans to prioritize blighted properties and those suitable for assembly. The meeting concluded with an announcement from a long-serving board member that they plan to step down; the member said they will remain available to sign documents until a full complement of board members is appointed.
Votes at a glance - Consent agenda and July minutes: motion approved (voice vote). - Finance report: motion approved (voice vote). - Eastside Renaissance modification (waive $10,000 escrow; $200/month development fee for three-parcel package): motion approved (voice vote). - Waive Section 32 (deed escrow/enforcement mortgage) for 1737 West Sixth Street (Steve Lewis contracting): motion approved (voice vote). - 110 East 20 Second Street: sale approved (voice vote). - 920 West Sixteenth Street and 920 1/2: conveyance approved to allow transfer to adjoining owner 922 West Sixteenth Street (voice vote). - 2708 Downing Street: sale approved for $5,000 (voice vote). - 443 East Sixteenth Street: motion to sell to Erie's Black Wall Street failed on roll-call (Sumner yes; Dana yes; Paul no; Chris no). Motion to table the parcel to next meeting: approved (voice vote). - Tax-exoneration resolution: approved (voice vote).
