Brackenridge seeking money from Allegheny County to fight blight by razing vacant buildings

Brackenridge Council is seeking money from Allegheny County to launch an anti-blight effort.

Council last week voted to apply for about $129,000 to raze several vacant or dilapidated structures.

Most are residential properties, Borough Secretary Denise Tocco said.

“All of them have been vacant a long time,” she said.

Borough officials are making an effort to maximize limited resources by targeting the area along and around Brackenridge Avenue, Mayor Lindsay Fraser said.

Properties to be torn down include 1001, 1005 Rear, 1044, 1053 and 1109 Brackenridge Ave.

“Research has shown that focusing blight remediation resources on specific blocks and neighborhoods proves to be effective at increasing sale prices of neighboring properties, reducing tax delinquency and laying the groundwork for redevelopment,” Fraser said. “ ‘The Avenue’ is a valuable community resource with lots of history, lots of real estate and lots of potential.”

Money is being sought from the county’s Act 152 Blight Removal Program, which is overseen by the Department of Economic Development. Revenue is derived from an additional $15 fee on deed and mortgage transactions in the county.

Applications are based on criteria that includes community impact and potential reuse of the property.

According to the county website, properties targeted for demolition have to meet at least three of nine conditions, such as being a public nuisance, unfit for living or a fire hazard.

Applications are due Friday.

If approved, it is possible work would take place this year.

The borough also is part of a regionwide revitalization effort in conjunction with Harrison and Tarentum.

The nonprofit Faith Community Partners instituted a community development corporation to target renewal, recreation and other issues.