Monroeville council approves multiple demolition resolutions; owner of 2060 Monroeville Road given time to secure permit
January 14, 2026 | Monroeville, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Monroeville — The Borough Council on Jan. 13 approved a series of resolutions to demolish properties the municipality identified as slums and blight while giving one property owner time to obtain a permit.
Council members read and voted on resolutions covering multiple addresses, approving demolitions for several parcels after reviewing engineering reports that determined they met the demolition criteria. Resolutions for properties at 336 Steel Street and three other addresses (items 16, 18–20 on the agenda) passed on roll calls in which council members recorded ‘Aye.’
Item 17, for the property listed as 2060 Monroeville Road, prompted extended discussion after the owner, Bernard Blake, addressed council. Blake told the council he intended to apply for a building permit within the next 30 days and described three possible plans for the building — repair and reroof, demolition, or sale — and said, “I’ll do that right away.” Council and staff discussed that a building permit, if issued, would give the owner roughly 180 days (about six months) to begin work before the permit expires. Because Blake indicated a willingness to pursue permitting and to take action, council members moved to remove item 17 from the agenda rather than proceed at this meeting with a demolition award.
Municipal staff noted the demolition work for the other parcels would be put out to public bid and that some projects were tied to grant administration through DCED and a regional cog, which imposes procurement and timing requirements. Council members asked staff to track permit receipt and, if the owner failed to secure a permit as represented, to return the matter to council for action.
The council also removed two items (14 and 15) from the agenda after staff reported they no longer met demolition criteria following engineering reviews. For the items that were approved, council instructed staff to proceed with the usual public-bid process for demolition and to report back on timing and funding specifics.
The council’s actions mean several properties will move to formal demolition procurement; the 2060 Monroeville Road matter remains open and conditional on the owner obtaining the stated permit. The council did not set a new hearing date but staff was directed to follow up on the permit and the grant procurement timeline.
Council members read and voted on resolutions covering multiple addresses, approving demolitions for several parcels after reviewing engineering reports that determined they met the demolition criteria. Resolutions for properties at 336 Steel Street and three other addresses (items 16, 18–20 on the agenda) passed on roll calls in which council members recorded ‘Aye.’
Item 17, for the property listed as 2060 Monroeville Road, prompted extended discussion after the owner, Bernard Blake, addressed council. Blake told the council he intended to apply for a building permit within the next 30 days and described three possible plans for the building — repair and reroof, demolition, or sale — and said, “I’ll do that right away.” Council and staff discussed that a building permit, if issued, would give the owner roughly 180 days (about six months) to begin work before the permit expires. Because Blake indicated a willingness to pursue permitting and to take action, council members moved to remove item 17 from the agenda rather than proceed at this meeting with a demolition award.
Municipal staff noted the demolition work for the other parcels would be put out to public bid and that some projects were tied to grant administration through DCED and a regional cog, which imposes procurement and timing requirements. Council members asked staff to track permit receipt and, if the owner failed to secure a permit as represented, to return the matter to council for action.
The council also removed two items (14 and 15) from the agenda after staff reported they no longer met demolition criteria following engineering reviews. For the items that were approved, council instructed staff to proceed with the usual public-bid process for demolition and to report back on timing and funding specifics.
The council’s actions mean several properties will move to formal demolition procurement; the 2060 Monroeville Road matter remains open and conditional on the owner obtaining the stated permit. The council did not set a new hearing date but staff was directed to follow up on the permit and the grant procurement timeline.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
