Erie Redevelopment Authority approves deed-in-lieu resolutions for two properties; hears finance, rehab and partnership updates

The Erie Redevelopment Authority Board on Tuesday approved resolutions allowing staff to accept deeds in lieu of condemnation for two Erie properties and heard reports on recent revenues, housing rehabilitation progress and training, and potential developer partnerships.

The board voted to approve resolutions that authorize acquisition of 2631 Van Buren Avenue (Erie County tax parcel 1856-124) and 3404 Burton Avenue (Erie County tax index 185213-119) either by deed in lieu of condemnation or, alternately, by proceeding with eminent domain steps previously initiated. The motions were made and seconded during the meeting and carried with no recorded opposition in the public minutes.

Board members heard a finance report from Miss Decker, who said the authority has completed matching its income statements for January through May in the Blackbaud accounting system and is scheduling bank-reconciliation walkthroughs for June and July. Decker reported recent receipts for June that include roughly $68,000 from the Erie County Department of Planning for the Home Repair program and Act 137 funds, $75,600 in LHRD reimbursements and a little over $51,000 from the land bank. The board had no follow-up questions about those figures during the meeting.

Executive Director Aaron Snifford updated the board on property acquisitions and eminent domain activity. He said several parcels are in varying stages of acquisition, and that one owner had indicated an intent to retain counsel and request an extension that has not materialized (an extension through July 11 was referenced). Snifford said staff is documenting and preparing in case court action is required but did not anticipate immediate litigation. He reported that correspondence suggests a settlement and deed in lieu of condemnation may be reached for one of the matters, with settlement hoped for in August.

Snifford also described a set of vacant parcels and time-sale agreements tied to prior demolitions and site restorations; after clearing tax and title issues, including removing water and probation liens, the authority has been able to convey several parcels to adjoining property owners.

On housing rehabilitation, staff reported the LHRD 2020 grant has completed all required units with one remaining project in progress and a final closeout to HUD pending completion. The LHRD 2024 program is active with projects underway. Staff noted contractor capacity and materials remain a primary constraint and said the authority will host training to grow the contractor pool: a lead-abatement-supervisor class scheduled the week after the meeting (Tuesday–Friday) and an EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) certification class on July 28 in partnership with the Erie Center for Arts and Technology.

During public comment, a developer identified himself as an experienced local affordable-housing builder and urged the authority to collaborate on rehabilitating and selling affordable homes, specifically citing a property on 20 Second Street as a priority to resolve. He described recent state funding (referred to at the meeting as “Fair Funds”) and recommended joint efforts to leverage authority-held properties and developer capacity to expand affordable homeownership in the city. He said, “Let us come together, figure out a means and methods that make sense for both of us,” and asked authority staff to meet outside the public meeting to pursue options.

The board also discussed the audited financial statements included in the meeting packet. A board member asked whether ARPA dollars should appear on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards. Staff clarified that the city used ARPA as revenue replacement and provided general-fund dollars to the authority under an intergovernmental agreement; those payments therefore were not federal awards passed through to subrecipients. Staff further explained that the authority’s annual administration contracts for certain programs (for example local CDBG administration) average about $80,000–$90,000 and annual expenditures are typically below the $750,000 threshold that would require separate presentation on the federal awards schedule. Board members also asked about depreciation classification for equipment and furnishings and about the outstanding note payable (reported as a mortgage with KeyBank); auditors had requested recent statements and raised no additional concerns at the meeting.

The meeting concluded with routine approvals of minutes and adjournment. Board members and staff said they will follow up on the two property settlements, final LHRD closeout steps and the proposed contractor training dates.

Votes at a glance: 2631 Van Buren Avenue (Erie County parcel 1856-124) — Resolution authorizing acquisition by deed in lieu of condemnation or to proceed with eminent domain as needed; motion approved with no opposition recorded. 3404 Burton Avenue (Erie County tax index 185213-119) — Resolution authorizing acquisition by deed in lieu of condemnation or to proceed with eminent domain as needed; motion approved with no opposition recorded.