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Redevelopment Authority authorizes condemnation for 616 Wayne Street; owner says he will finish renovations
Summary
The Erie Redevelopment Authority approved Resolution 9‑2026 to authorize condemnation of 616 Wayne Street after repeated failed contacts with the owner; Emmanuel Lopez told the board he plans to finish renovations by the end of the summer and was given 60 days before staff will move to file formal condemnation paperwork.
The Erie Redevelopment Authority voted to authorize condemnation proceedings for 616 Wayne Street, a parcel the board and its Blighted Property Review Committee have marked as blighted. Executive Director Aaron Snippert told the board the authority had attempted multiple meetings with the owner, received an appraisal valuing the property at $0 and was seeking a voluntary deed in lieu before moving toward eminent domain.
Owner Emmanuel Lopez, who identified himself for the record as living at 616 Wayne Street, told the board he had invested additional funds recently, apologized for slow email responses and said he is "still working on it" and expects to finish renovations by fall. "I plan on, having it done within the end of this summer," Lopez said. Board members pressed for clarity about prior public statements in which Lopez said he intended to rehabilitate the property and questioned the timeline for the authority to file formal condemnation paperwork.
Solicitor Jean Lisonbee told the board that once his office received the resolution it typically needs "within 60 days" to prepare before formally filing a condemnation action in court. Jeremy Toman moved to adopt Resolution 9‑2026 to declare the property blighted and authorize acquisition through eminent domain; the motion was seconded and the board approved the resolution. The board indicated it would revisit the action and rescind the authorization if Lopez provides satisfactory evidence of timely rehabilitation before a declaration of taking is filed.
The resolution follows the blight designation recorded 03/13/2024 and staff reports of fire and smoke incidents at the property in December 2025 and January 2026. The authority said past attempts to obtain a signed statement of intent to renovate were canceled by the owner and that staff provided Lopez with the appraisal and a chance at a voluntary deed-in-lieu. Under the adopted action, staff will proceed toward condemnation unless the owner demonstrates sufficient, timely progress to the executive director.
