Hollidaysburg council allocates $45,000 in CDBG funds to remediate blighted properties and awards auction contract

Hollidaysburg Borough Council approved allocating $45,000 in 2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds toward remediation of two top‑ranked blighted properties—316 Allegheny Street and 425 Beach (Yates) Street—and authorized an auctioneer contract to support the remediation process.

Community development staff presented a three‑phase remediation plan for 316 Allegheny Street and explained that staff had extended time to property owners to remove belongings before the borough proceeds with remediation and sale. The blight committee recommended SD Karnes Auction Services because an online auction could reach more bidders and potentially raise more sale proceeds for the borough. "We felt we would sell more of the stuff ... and make more money for the borough," a blight committee representative said.

Council moved to award the auction contract to SD Karnes and approved allocating the $45,000 in CDBG funds for remediation. Council discussed that CDBG funds must be spent within the program timeline (manager noted 4–5 years maximum for expenditure) and that proceeds from any sheriff sale or auction generally reimburse the borough for remediation expenses when properties are sold. Council members emphasized they would focus on stabilizing dangerous structures, not superficial repairs, and that priority properties on the dangerous‑structure list would be addressed first.

The motions to award the auctioneer contract and to allocate the CDBG funds both passed on council votes.