Fayette County approves right-of-way relocation, USPS lease extension and quitclaim deed

At the Feb. 19 meeting the Fayette County commissioners approved several property-related actions, including relocation of a county right-of-way, a lease extension with the U.S. Postal Service, tax-exoneration for a blighted parcel, and a quitclaim deed conveying county-owned rail property.

Specifically, the board approved a Relocation of Right-of-Way Agreement with Chestnut Ridge Counseling Services to move county-owned right-of-way on the north side of Tippecanoe Road to the south side so the nonprofit can use its property. The commissioners also approved a lease extension for the USPS at the Peters Street federal building, continuing revenue from that property; attendees said the extension adds five additional years onto an existing lease term. The board approved exoneration of county real estate taxes for a Menallen Township property (Tax Parcel 22-02-0037) acquired through the conservatorship/blight program that has been cleaned and will be sold to return it to the tax rolls. Finally, the commissioners approved a quitclaim deed conveying a portion of county-owned property to the Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad Company for $1.00; County Solicitor Jack Purcell clarified the action conveys county ownership to the railroad.

Why it matters: The actions adjust county property ownership and revenue sources and advance blight-remediation by allowing a cleaned property to be sold back to private ownership. Conveyance of railroad property and lease terms have operational and fiscal implications for county property management.

Next steps: County staff will execute the approved agreements and update property records as required.