Land bank, brownfield work move forward; board approves sale of 369 Yale

County staff reported that demolition work tied to a brownfield grant has moved into active contracting and that additional testing showed arsenic presence consistent with earlier samples; staff said the tests did not alter remediation plans. Officials described a flexible approach for the next round of brownfield applications that would allow swapping sites as conditions change.

The board approved a purchase offer by Dolores Wallace for 369 Yale Avenue after staff confirmed the offer met policy and auditor-value criteria. Staff explained the land bank will continue using foreclosure and auction mechanisms, and that title searches and additional due diligence are underway for a stack of candidate properties.

During public participation a property owner said long demolition timelines (six months or more between purchase and teardown) left newly acquired parcels uninsured and exposed nearby properties to risk. Staff said bid packets typically include timeframes and penalties, and suggested that a hazard designation by a fire marshal or chief could move an at-risk structure up in priority. Commissioners asked staff to review demolition bid deadlines, consider publishing demolition lists publicly and seek ways to better sequence high-risk sites earlier in contract schedules.

Why it matters: Active demolition and brownfield remediation return blighted properties to productive use and reduce hazards; the land bank process and contractor selection determine how quickly neighborhoods see improvements.

What happens next: Staff will continue title searches and coordination with contractors; commissioners requested the demolition bid list be made available and to review timeline parameters used in contracts to prioritize hazardous properties.