Erie Land Bank approves multiple property sales, tables proposal for East 16th Street

The City of Erie Land Bank on June 16 approved the sale of several parcels and moved forward on multiple vacant-lot dispositions, while tabling one proposal tied to Erie County for additional clarification.

Board members approved the sale of 320 Plum Street to the highest bidder, Alan Bartelski, and approved several vacant-lot transfers to adjoining property owners or entities. The board voted to table consideration of competing proposals for 443 East 16th Street until the county's attorney or representative could confirm authorization for the county executive's proposed purchase.

The approvals included: the sale of 320 Plum Street to Alan Bartelski (highest bid), a sale of 520 East Fifth (combined with the adjacent mother's property per the board's condition), the transfer of 505 East 20 Second Street to the high bidder among two adjacent owners after an escalation procedure, acceptance of a proposal from the Housing Authority to combine 715 West Fourth with its parcel, and approval of a $1,500 bid for the parcel next to 1017 German Street (the buyer will remain on the tax rolls). Board members moved and seconded the motions on the floor and carried them by voice vote; no roll-call counts were recorded in the meeting minutes.

Board discussion before votes included staff confirmation that bidders had cleared rental-registration issues where applicable and that development agreements included recapture provisions and timelines intended to ensure follow-through. For 320 Plum Street, staff reported two vetted proposals: ANC Investments (higher bid, stated 30–45 day development timeline) and Bluebone Ltd. (lower flat offer with 120-day work plan). The board raised concerns about ANC's aggressive turnaround estimate but approved the higher bid with contractual safeguards.

On 443 East 16th Street, the board heard two competing proposals: Erie Black Wall Street proposed a community garden and Erie County proposed a tiny-home supportive housing project adjacent to the prison. Board members expressed interest in the county's supportive-housing plan but asked staff to confirm that the county attorney had authorized the county executive to proceed; the item was tabled until that clarification is provided.

Several transfers approved were for small, adjoining parcels where bidders sought to combine the lots with existing holdings; staff noted these moves generally keep the parcels on the tax rolls and avoid demolition-only outcomes. For parcels where there were adjacent-owner bids, staff read escalation clauses aloud and recommended selling to the high bidder, which the board approved.

Votes at a glance

- 320 Plum Street — Approved sale to Alan Bartelski (mover/second: not specified in record). Outcome: approved by voice vote; motion carries. - 520 East Fifth Street — Approved conditional sale to the bidder who agreed to combine the lot with the neighboring mother's property. Outcome: approved by voice vote. - 505 East 20 Second Street — Approved sale to the high bidder among two adjoining property owners after escalation procedure. Outcome: approved by voice vote. - 715 West Fourth — Approved sale to adjacent parcel owner (Housing Authority) to combine parcels. Outcome: approved by voice vote. - Parcel adjacent to 1017 German Street — Approved sale to higher bidder ($1,500) who will keep the parcel on the tax rolls. Outcome: approved by voice vote. - 443 East 16th Street — Tabled; staff will seek confirmation from Erie County's attorney that the county executive has authorization to purchase before bringing proposals back to the board.

Discussion/next steps

Staff said sales agreements and deposits will be prepared and handled through the land bank's counsel for closing. For several approvals staff noted follow-up steps: preparing sales agreements, ensuring inspection and rental-registration compliance where applicable, and recording any contractual recapture or performance milestones. The board also discussed notifying buyers about municipal expectations, such as stormwater management obligations for combined parking-lot parcels, to avoid surprises after transfer.

All motions reported at the June 16 meeting were moved, seconded, and carried by voice vote with no roll-call tallies recorded in the transcript.