Brackenridge hopes to partner with Highlands, Allegheny County to fight blight

A plan to fight blight in Brackenridge is underway.

Council Vice President John Stanzione Jr. said borough officials are considering a program that would award tax breaks to developers seeking to revitalize abandoned or tax-delinquent properties.

The program would be conducted in collaboration with the Highlands School District and Allegheny County.

The three entities would work to transfer dilapidated property records directly to developers who would get the properties back on the tax rolls more quickly than other programs such as a land bank, Stanzione said.

School Director Nicole Kocon is the district’s point person for the program. She said that while important discussions are beginning to happen, nothing is concrete yet.

Kocon is a representative of the Faith Community Partners’ community development advisory council, which is seeking to spur revitalization in Harrison, Tarentum, Brackenridge and beyond.

“I am involved in the collective agenda of fighting blight and restoring and repurposing vacant and underutilized properties that align with the group’s strategic priorities,” Kocon said.

Priorities of the local development council include building galvanizing groups to implement widespread renewal.

The initial focus is on the “Social Enterprise, Community and Economic Development” and “Impact of Deteriorating Buildings” areas of the plan, Kocon said.

A blight team will review maps of abandoned or rundown residential and commercial properties and seek funding to follow recommendations for demolition, renovation or repurposing.

Stanzione said he is working to compile a plan with the school district and county officials and bring a proposal back to borough council.

Ultimately, officials are hoping to forgive interest fees and penalties on properties that are at least three years in arrears of property tax payments, Stanzione said.

After the sale, a developer would have to stay current with the property taxes for a yet-to-be determined number of years.

Brackenridge Mayor Lindsay Frazer favors the idea of keeping the program at the local level.

Solicitor Craig Alexander said tax law permits relief if the back taxes are more than the assessed value of the property.

Council meets next at 6 p.m. March 3 at the borough building along Brackenridge Avenue.