Monroeville staff lists seven vacant structures for potential demolition; owners testify at show-cause hearing

Council opened the show-cause hearing required for a grant-funded demolition program that the municipality submitted in 2024. Jason Sonnenfeld of the codes/building department told council the municipality applied for funds in 2024 and that four rounds of notices and postings have taken place; initial notifications were sent in August 2024 and follow-ups in 2025. The program allows the municipality to bid and manage demolitions with COG oversight after receiving grant awards.

Seven parcels were presented in staff materials for potential condemnation and demolition: 201 Madison Street; 320 Valley Road; 336 Steel Street; 2060 Minerva/Minerval Road; 2046 Pitcairn Road; 2789 Broadway Boulevard; and 3958 Monroeville Boulevard. Sonnenfeld said all structures are currently vacant, photographs and cost estimates were submitted with the application, and several parcels have been on the program list for multiple cycles due to lack of corrective action.

Several property owners or representatives addressed the hearing. Cindy Stein, who identified herself as owner of 201 Madison Street and who said she has paid utilities and taxes on the structure and was using it for storage, asked staff to clarify the specific safety issues and why demolition had been proposed; she said she had not received return phone calls from the number printed on enforcement letters. "I own this property through my husband . . . I've been using it for storage. I have utilities to it. I pay my taxes," Stein said under oath and requested staff follow-up. Council requested staff work with her to confirm contact information and re-inspect.

Walter Sewell, associated with 2789 Broadway, said he has electrical service at the building, repaired the roof, and had arranged for a structural engineer to inspect the property the next day. Michael Polanek (320 Valley Road) said he had been hiring contractors to remove brush and stored materials and asked for coordination with code enforcement; council noted this parcel had been on the list previously and that he had been granted extensions before. Bernard Blake (26 Eamonroeville Road) described plans to remove a nonstructural brick addition, raise portions of a block building and replace the roof; he said he planned repairs within months and sought staff contact for permitting and to show preliminary timelines.

Staff emphasized that properties that remain on the bid list may be removed if owners can resolve deficiencies and coordinate repairs; if properties remain on the list they will be put out to bid for demolition and grant funds used for removal. Council requested additional follow-up and contact information for several owners so the municipality could verify progress before the Nov. 11 council meeting.

No demolition contracts were awarded at Monday's meeting; the hearing will inform the council's agenda on Nov. 11, when items on the demolition list may be removed from the bid list if satisfactory progress or plans are documented.