Pittsburgh Land Bank approves six property sales, accepts donation and clears title with ARPA funds

Pittsburgh Land Bank board members on July 10 approved a series of property conveyances, authorized acquisition and title clearance for a donated property in the 27th Ward, and authorized staff to hire an auditor for a required single audit.

The board voted to convey six properties from the Land Bank inventory under a batch of resolutions (50–55). The approved sales include: 0 Auburn Street (amendment to an earlier conveyance to allow transfer to 220 Auburn Street LLC), 2314–2316 Perrysville Avenue (to Andy Wolfinger or affiliate for $30,000), 13121 Jeffers Street (to La Victoria Home Renewal LLC for $22,000), 5001 Broad Street (to Christina Lechfor for $45,000), 1907 Meadville Street (to Hope Housing Development and Solutions LLC for $30,000), and 1115 Hawkins Avenue (to Dragonfly Capital LLC for $40,000). Each resolution was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

The board also approved Resolution 56 to accept 2428 California Avenue from the estate of Jane B. O'Malley via donation, authorize clearing title and preparing the property for sale, and permit a cleanout and stabilization not to exceed $35,000 using ARPA funds. Public commenter Emily O'Malley, who identified herself as from the North Shore and a family member connected to the property, described long‑standing family ties to the house and asked the board to consider the family's situation. Emily O'Malley said, "Enter the Pittsburgh Land Bank. I won't lie. I was skeptical," and added that the Land Bank's offer brought her family hope that the house can be restored to service the community.

Staff explained there are roughly 20 years of back taxes on the California Avenue property, that a new housing manager inspected the site and found structural issues requiring stabilization, and that clearing title will remove liens and encumbrances before the property is listed for sale. The motion specifies that title work and a cleanout may be funded from ARPA dollars, with the cleanout cap set at $35,000.

Treasurer Wanda Wilson presented the June 2026 financials, saying the balance sheet shows a healthy net asset position and that payroll has been booked for the quarter. The board voted to accept the June financial report. Staff also reported that the Land Bank had slightly more than $1,000,000 in ARPA funds in 2025, which triggers a single audit. The board authorized PLB staff to enter an agreement with McGee, Maruca & Associates, PC for the 2025 single audit at a cost of $5,000.

Board members and staff highlighted the pilot residential rehab program during consideration of several sales. Staff said buyers on today’s agenda passed a qualified‑buyer check (no tax delinquency, no open code violations on properties they own), submitted rehab plans and financing, and have toured properties. For one buyer, staff emphasized that a construction/mortgage‑rehab loan adds protections; for Christina Lechfor, staff said the Land Bank will attach a five‑year deed restriction requiring owner occupancy after rehab completion.

Staff gave a pipeline update, reporting 22 sales so far in 2026 (127 total completed sales to date), several properties listed for sale in neighborhoods including Elliott, Perry Hilltop, Fine View, Woods Run, Marshall Shadeland and Hazelwood, and expected deed transfers from a sheriff sale batch by October–November. The Land Bank also announced upcoming informational sessions on the pilot residential rehab program and that it will host a bus tour during a September reclaiming‑blighted‑properties conference.

All formal motions in today’s meeting were adopted by voice vote with no recorded nos or abstentions. The board recessed for August and set the next meeting for Sept. 11, 2026.