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Pittsburgh Land Bank approves five property transfers, including Uptown Seneca sale to Epic Development
Summary
The Pittsburgh Land Bank on July 11 approved five property acquisitions and dispositions — including 2 and 3 Seneca Street in Uptown to Epic Development — and discussed public-comment procedures, ARPA funding timing and pilot rehab properties.
The Pittsburgh Land Bank on July 11 approved five property transactions intended to return vacant and city- or URA-owned lots to reuse, including the conveyance of 2 and 3 Seneca Street in Uptown to Epic Development for $20,000 and the transfer of two parcels in the Hill District and Larimer to private buyers and neighborhood groups.
Board members cited the goal of moving properties out of long-term vacancy and into rehabilitation or community stewardship. Michael McAllister, owner of Epic Development, told the board he plans to convert 2 and 3 Seneca into “two new owner-occupied units” and said he expects the project to bring “active and engaged owners into the Uptown neighborhood as early as next spring.” Mikaela Sheckler, real estate and development program manager at Uptown Partners of Pittsburgh, said Epic’s proposal had unanimous support from the group’s real estate committee and urged the land bank to transfer the properties to McAllister through the land bank process.
The board also approved the land bank’s June financial report and monthly expenditures while staff said the organization is working to secure its next ARPA allocation from the city. Staff reported 42 completed sales to date, 32 active closings expected by September, several properties tied to a Federal Home Loan Bank allocation for affordable housing, and ongoing activity in a pilot residential rehab program.
Public commenters from Larimer—members of the Scott family and a speaker identified as Migniela Kempfied Reed—asked the board to approve the sale of two Meadow Street lots to allow a family member to build adjacent to a long-term resident’s home. The board amended a Meadow Street resolution to reflect alternative ownership-transfer pathways (City of Pittsburgh or Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh) and raised the authorized acquisition cost from $7,500 to $10,000 to cover potential title-related costs.
Board members debated whether to add an in-person public-comment option. Some favored keeping full virtual access to preserve broad accessibility; others supported offering an in-person option when requested. Director Cecilia (last name not provided) reminded the board that the building-ownership agreement may require security when hosting the public in the building and that the land bank would likely incur that cost. Staff said they would get cost estimates for security and venue booking to inform a September decision.
Votes at a glance: - Resolution 54 — Acquisition and sale of 403 Grove Street (Fifth Ward) and 346 Renfrew Street (Twelfth Ward) to JB5 Investments LLC (affiliate of Sherae Anderson) for $40,000: Approved by the board. - Resolution 55 — Acquisition and sale of 2 and 3 Seneca Street (Fourth Ward) to Epic Development (affiliate of Michael McAllister) for $20,000; board authorized up to $20,000 for title quieting using ARPA funds: Approved (disclosure regarding a possible adjacent listing was made by Councilman Daniel Veil during the vote and the sale proceeded after clarification). - Resolution 56 — Acquisition and sale of two Meadow Street lots (Twelfth Ward) to a Scott family member (name recorded in proceedings as Migniela Kempfied Reed; board later referenced Moniel Ancoffi Reed in the motion): Amended to allow acquisition from either the City of Pittsburgh or the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh and to increase the not-to-exceed price to $10,000; approved. - Resolution 57 — Acquisition of 65 Amanda Ave (Thirtieth Ward) from Wayne Rethridge and conveyance to Hilltop Alliance (pilot donation program): Approved. - Resolution 58 — Acquisition of 243 Moore Ave (Thirtieth Ward) via donation from Carl Greenlee and Bakhislava Johnson and conveyance to Hilltop Alliance: Approved.
Board members, staff and attendees highlighted follow-up work. Staff said signage and objection periods for eight properties will proceed before the September meeting; several pending transfers are awaiting standing committee review at City Council. The treasurer reported the land bank remains solvent while awaiting the next ARPA draw.
The board set its next meeting dates — Sept. 12, Oct. 10, Nov. 14 and Dec. 12 — and adjourned.
