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Pittsburgh Land Bank approves multiple property transfers after residents and nonprofits speak in favor
Summary
At its June 12 meeting the Pittsburgh Land Bank approved a series of property acquisitions and conveyances (resolutions 32–45), including sales to neighborhood buyers and community development organizations; residents who spoke during public comment described plans to rehab, garden and reduce blight.
The Pittsburgh Land Bank board on June 12 approved a package of property acquisitions and conveyances that will transfer city- and URA-owned parcels to nonprofit developers and local buyers, following public comments from residents and community organizations about rehab and neighborhood reuse.
The board voted to acquire and convey a number of parcels using ARPA funds and the Land Bank's pilot residential rehab program. Highlights approved include: conveying Zero Kelly Street to Ammani Christian CDC for $7,500 (Resolution 32) to secure site control for a planned 13-unit for-sale project in Homewood; conveying a collapsed Uptown property to Beacon Communities’ affiliate for $10,000 (Resolution 35) for eventual rehab; and approving a sale of 211 Amherst Street to Amber Jones for $20,000 (Resolution 38) through the pilot residential rehab program. The board also authorized smaller sideyard sales and URA transfers, including conveyance of a sideyard to Aaron Simon ($10,752, Resolution 34), a parcel to Shakira Carter for $8,000 (Resolution 37), and a corrected conveyance to JB5 Investments/Shereé Anderson for $3,000 to resolve an address/assessment issue (Resolution 36). Several donated parcels were accepted for title clearance and resale, including 404 Allen Street and 104 Grimes Avenue.
The public comment period preceded many of the votes. Amber Jones told the board she and her family plan to “rehab the property and rent it in the meantime until [my daughter] is old enough,” citing neighborhood safety concerns and a desire to keep family in the community. Colleen Cadman said she hopes to donate a tax-delinquent Carrick property so it can be cleared of liens and restored to occupancy. Reverend Lee Walls of Monty Christian Community Development Corporation described a 13-unit for-sale project in Homewood and thanked staff for assistance securing site control to pursue grants. Beacon Communities’ Maggie Dudley said her organization recently completed a 51-unit affordable building in Uptown and sought nearby parcels to reduce criminal activity and hazards for residents.
Board members discussed the practicalities of several transfers: staff noted one parcel required a county assessment correction to assign a proper street address before issuing permits, and another sale will allow a longtime adjacent owner-occupant to expand community gardening and youth programming. Staff also asked for and received authorization to use capped ARPA-funded stabilization or cleanout budgets on certain parcels (examples: up to $4,000 preparing 165 Auburn Street; up to $20,000 cleanout for donated 404 Allen Street; up to $25,000 envelope and cleanout work for 1925 East Carson Street acquired through sheriff’s sale).
Votes were carried with routine procedural approvals and a small number of abstentions where conflicts were declared. Director Tammy Thompson abstained on the Zero Kelly Street conveyance because of her role with a partner organization involved with the project; one board member abstained on the Grimes Avenue transfer due to Hilltop Alliance affiliation. Staff said several applications lacked complete proof of funding and were deferred for follow-up.
The actions aim to return tax-delinquent or blighted properties to productive reuse in neighborhoods including Elliott, Carrick, Homewood, Uptown, Sheridan and the Hill District. The Land Bank plans to list many of the rehab-ready properties through its pilot residential rehab program, which requires buyers to show proof of financing and provide a rehab plan; owner-occupant buyers accepted under the program must live in the property for five years under a deed restriction.
Votes at a glance (selected resolutions approved): - Resolution 32 — Convey to Ammani Christian CDC (Zero Kelly Street) for $7,500; outcome: approved; abstention: Director Thompson (conflict). - Resolution 33 — Acquire and prepare 165 Auburn Street (prep not to exceed $4,000); outcome: approved. - Resolution 34 — Convey parcel to Aaron Simon for $10,752; outcome: approved. - Resolution 35 — Convey to Standard BC LLC / Beacon Communities for $10,000 (collapsed interior); outcome: approved. - Resolution 36 — URA transfer and correction for JB5 Investments (Shereé Anderson) for $3,000; outcome: approved. - Resolution 37 — Convey to Shakira Carter for $8,000; outcome: approved. - Resolution 38 — Convey 211 Amherst Street to Amber Jones for $20,000 (pilot rehab buyer occupant); outcome: approved. - Resolution 39 — No action (incomplete proof of funding); outcome: deferred/no action. - Resolution 40 — Convey 1021 Rue Grand View to Ryan Sly for $35,000; outcome: approved. - Resolution 42 — Acquire 1925 East Carson via sheriff sale and prepare for sale (stabilization cap $25,000); outcome: approved. - Resolution 43 — Donate and clear title for 404 Allen Street (cleanout cap $20,000); outcome: approved. - Resolution 44 — Accept donation and clear title for parcel 95M32 (corrected parcel id); outcome: approved. - Resolution 45 — Accept donation of 104 Grimes Avenue and convey to Hilltop Alliance (stabilization cap $20,000); outcome: approved (one abstention from Hilltop Alliance board member).
What happens next: staff will follow up with applicants who lacked proof of funding, list rehab-ready properties through the pilot program and continue title-clearance and stabilization work as authorized. The board set its next meeting for July 10 and adjourned.
