Pittsburgh Land Bank approves multiple property acquisitions, sales and advances residential rehab sales

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Land Bank on May 9 approved a series of property transfers and sales intended to return vacant parcels to productive use, including several conveyances to community organizations and two owner-occupant sales tied to a pilot residential rehabilitation program.

The board approved seven resolutions authorizing acquisitions from the city or transfers from the land bank, including use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for some purchases, and approved sales to nonprofit and private buyers. The meeting also advanced the land bank’s pilot residential rehab program by approving the first completed sale from the pilot and a walk-on authorization to convey a second rehab property to an owner-occupant pending final underwriting and a required five-year deed restriction.

Board members and staff said the approvals are intended to move long-vacant properties back onto the tax rolls and support new affordable and mixed-income housing. Acting Executive Director Sally Stadelman told the board the land bank has completed 31 sales to date and has 36 properties actively in closing processes; staff also reported $1,100,000 in equity on the April balance sheet.

Public commenters who live near properties approved for transfer urged the board to proceed. Michael Yoder, who identified himself as a next-door neighbor of 5001 Broad Street in the Garfield neighborhood, said the house “has been an eyesore, a problem, a liability for our entire block for a very long time” and that he “fully support[s] the plan to get this house into the hands of an owner occupant or a responsible community group developer.” Patricia Matt, owner of 1101 Woodrowan Avenue in Brighton Heights, said she no longer wants her long-abandoned property and wishes it “to thrive more than just sitting there rotting.” Deanna Davis, a local realtor who identified herself as vice chair of the Larimer Consensus Group, thanked the land bank and city leadership and said the transfers will support “new homes that reflect the economic diversity of our neighborhood.”

Staff described several specific projects: the board amended Resolution 81 of 2024 to include an additional subdivided lot needed for a City of Bridges Community Land Trust affordable housing project that previously received Federal Home Loan Bank funding; it approved a conveyance to Amani Christian Community Development Corporation to support a 12-unit affordable housing project with commercial space; and it approved multiple transfers to the Larimer Consensus Group for parcels on Meadow, Lowell and Stubner Way contingent on confirmed funding. Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation participated in staff walkthroughs and community outreach on at least one property (5001 Broad Street), staff said.

The land bank also approved sales of land bank–owned properties: one sale (1221 High Street) was described as the first completed sale under the pilot residential rehab program and was approved to an owner-occupant buyer who demonstrated financing and capacity to complete rehabilitation. The board also approved a walk-on authorization (1611 Antrim Street) conveying that land bank property to a buyer, Christian Keller, at a price not to exceed $25,000, contingent on the buyer providing a detailed rehab plan, proof of financing and a selected contractor; the sale will include a five-year deed restriction requiring owner occupancy.

Staff noted the land bank uses a public objection process for properties in its inventory (a sign and QR code on parcels links to an objection/support form) and that if a parcel receives 15 signatures it triggers a required community meeting (staff has scheduled one on May 19 at 6 p.m. at Valley View Church on North Aiken). The board also approved the April meeting minutes and accepted the April financial report and monthly expenditures.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 26 — Authorization to amend Resolution 81 of 2024 to add Block 50 G, Lot 61 to parcels previously approved for acquisition and conveyance to the City of Bridges Community Land Trust; outcome: approved. Resolution 27 — Acquire 0 Auburn Street (Block 125A, Lot 277) and convey to Benjamin Klein at a cost not to exceed $84,780; outcome: approved. Resolution 28 — Acquire 5001 Broad Street (Block 50K, Lot 94) and prepare the structure for sale with up to $60,000 for title quieting, cleanout and sealing; outcome: approved. Resolution 29 — Acquire multiple parcels on Meadow, Lowell and Stubner Way and convey to the Larimer Consensus Group at a cost not to exceed $26,671; board stated it will not transact until the group’s funding plan is confirmed; outcome: approved. Resolution 30 — Acquire 0 Wylie Avenue (Block 10K, Lot 54) and convey to Amani Christian Community Development Corporation at an estimated cost of $7,500 to support an “African Queens” project (12 affordable units plus 1,700 sq ft commercial); outcome: approved. Resolution 31 — Convey 1221 High Street (Block 24C, Lot 165) and 0 Spring Garden (Block 24C, Lot 167) to Yulia Ladenko for not to exceed $20,000; staff described this as the first sale from the pilot residential rehab program; outcome: approved. Resolution 32 (walk-on) — Convey 1611 Antrim Street (Block 75L, Lot 121) to Christian Keller at a cost not to exceed $25,000, contingent on rehab plan, proof of financing, contractor selection and a five-year deed restriction; outcome: approved.

Board members asked for confirmation that at least one transfer (the Larimer Consensus Group parcels) will not close until the buyer’s funding is in place; staff confirmed that funding must be in place before a transaction proceeds. Stadelman said the land bank had cleared title on the majority of recently acquired parcels and identified eight open objection periods on properties currently in inventory.

The board scheduled its next meeting for June 13 at 1 p.m.