Council moves toward demolition of unsafe fire‑damaged house, approves three vacant‑property transfers

Tarentum Borough officials told council on Oct. 14 they will begin the formal process to demolish an unsafe fire‑damaged residence and proceed with disposition of three vacant parcels to local applicants.

Solicitor Eric and Manager Dwight Bodorf described the standard municipal process: code inspection to condemn unsafe structures, publication of an advertisement and a public hearing so any claimants (owners, banks, lienholders) can appear, and then a demolition bid if no one presents a valid claim. Manager Bodorf said a recent fire affected three adjacent houses and that one — identified in meeting remarks as 13 Water — is unsafe and likely to require immediate demolition.

"It is not a safe structure at the moment," Manager Bodorf said of the fire property, and explained the borough will attempt to seek an Allegheny County Act 152 emergency demolition grant; if that grant is not awarded the borough will pay the cost and may lien the property after demolition.

Council also approved three vacant‑property resolutions (25‑19, 25‑20 and 25‑21) to transfer specific parcels under the borough’s vacant property program to applicants who pledged to rehabilitate or otherwise return the properties to productive use. Code Enforcement Officer Anthony Bruni described applicants who have maintained nearby properties or demonstrated capacity to redevelop.

Solicitor Eric and staff said the borough has used a similar process successfully in recent years, and that grouping multiple nearby parcels can reduce demolition costs and make sites more attractive to future developers. Council directed staff to post the required notices and schedule public hearings; no demolition work will begin until the hearing process is complete.