Seven Westmoreland County communities from Greensburg to New Kensington to Monessen are getting a unique opportunity — the ability to re-create neighborhoods and business districts free of blight.

Using $10.4 million in federal money, the project calls for identifying as many as 500 properties for demolition, although some might end up being renovated. The work is designed to take place over the next five years.

Brian Lawrence, executive director of the county’s Redevelopment Authority, described the project as an unprecedent effort in the region.

Greensburg planning director Jeff Raykes already is looking years down the road.

“Just because we’ve torn down properties doesn’t mean we’ve solved the problem,” he said. “To me, there’s more than that.”

Raykes sees the potential for new housing, community gardens, business development — things that would improve life for residents and visitors. Just as important as the millions in American Rescue Plan dollars being used to fund demolition in the seven communities is the preparation for what comes after the buildings are gone, he said.

The Westmoreland County Community Foundation has provided the Redevelopment Authority with funding for a consultant to help the municipalities figure that out.

In July, Westmoreland County commissioners announced that $10.4 million of its ARP money would be directed to the Redevelopment Authority to target blight in Arnold, Greensburg, Jeannette, Monessen, New Kensington, Penn Borough and Vandergrift. How aggressive each community is in identifying those problem properties and funneling them to the county will determine how much of an impact the funding can have.

None of the communities is guaranteed a specific amount of assistance.

“I have been very clear that none of the funding is earmarked” by municipality, Lawrence said.

The project already is making a visible change. Structures on Washington Avenue in Vandergrift are being demolished, and work continues on tearing down a six-story building on Greensburg’s Main Street.

The seven municipalities are taking different approaches to targeting blight, but they all hope one thing: that the funding kick-starts a transformation.

“Obviously, this is money that we don’t have,” said Dennis Scarpiniti, New Kensington city clerk. “It’s helping tremendously.”

Lawrence said he realizes issues such as federal liens might make demolition of all 500 properties impossible. He said he hopes about half to 75% eventually will be torn down. So far, there are 18 projects under contract, and preparations are underway for about 60 more over the next several months.

“These projects, every single one of them is unique,” Lawrence said.

Legwork by the municipalities to get to that 75% figure will be a critical piece. Local officials should be using “every bit of their authority” and available legal processes to get blighted, abandoned and vacant properties to a point where they can be demolished, Lawrence said. That can require movement through a health board, international property maintenance code or nuisance abatement laws, depending on the type of municipality and what is legally permissible.

“There’s a part of this that has to happen at the local level,” he said.

Jeannette has been successful with an aggressive approach.

On a frigid Friday morning, fire Chief Bill Frye executed search warrants at properties that previously were deemed public nuisances eligible for demolition. Those orders are being appealed by the property owners.

A structural engineer evaluated each property, taking photographs and video to bolster the city’s case. Frye said he hopes 100 buildings can be torn down through the funding.

“It really is going to improve quality of life and safety for the residents,” he said.

Earlier last week, Redevelopment Authority senior project manager Hallie Chatfield checked on properties being demolished in Vandergrift and inspected a home in Arnold that could be rehabilitated.

Vandergrift, Arnold and New Kensington have been relying on help from the county land bank to acquire dilapidated properties.

“They are making a big difference throughout our community and the entire county,” said Vandergrift Councilman Tom Holmes.

After the list the land bank has is exhausted, communities will have to provide more options to keep money coming their way. Property owners must be given appropriate legal notice, and they can relinquish a property voluntarily. Other situations allow demolition when there is a failure to respond to enforcement actions, such as when an owner is dead or has abandoned the property.

Arnold officials had a handle on blight there, thanks to a citywide property evaluation, said community development director Rick Rayburg. The city has enjoyed success in the past demolishing neighboring properties in an effort to make larger parcels attractive to potential developers, Rayburg said.

“That’s our main motivation,” Rayburg said.

Although the focus remains on demolition, Lawrence said there are properties that could be rehabilitated rather than torn down.

“We want to know about those opportunities,” he said.

Monessen Mayor Ron Mozer said he views the project as an important moment. He has convened 13 pastors to help determine how the city can improve the quality of life and economy while not driving up prices and the cost of living for residents. The town’s chamber of commerce is being rejuvenated.

City officials have asked the county to focus demolition efforts for now on the downtown area and a nearby residential section “where people used to live when they worked at the mills some 40 years ago,” Mozer said.

Entire downtown city blocks stand to be cleared out.

“We have the opportunity to redefine what Monessen is,” he said. “I do hope that Monessen can be the start of something that happens all up and down the Mon River.”

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