Tarentum demolition project spurs positive impact on community

Tarentum Council is looking to close out the year by wrapping up its fourth demolition contract, eyeing one final dilapidated home along West 11th Avenue.

Workers from Gillette’s Towing in Harrison already razed a house at 243-245 West Seventh Ave and one at 532 Third Avenue on the east side of town as part of the contract.

“Two down and one to go,” council President Scott Dadowski said. “This kind of work goes a long way to eliminate squatters, decrease crime and deter vandalism.”

Gillette’s was the low bidder for the contract at just under $33,800.

Dadowski said demolition will be done in coming weeks at 339 West 11th Ave., which has long been condemned.

“These homes are literally abandoned,” borough Code Enforcement Officer Anthony Bruni said. “The owners haven’t paid taxes, and they’re not interested in keeping the houses. We’ve never had someone come forward and try to halt demolition.”

The house on West 11th has been vacant and uninhabitable for about five years, he said.

The demolition will bring this year’s total number of blighted and abandoned homes removed from the borough to 26.

Earlier this year, Eveready Contracting and Minniefield Demolition Services each took down eight buildings; Siegel Excavating removed seven.

Total cost for those contracts was $185,000.

Each of the homes, long empty and in some cases falling down, are a burden to the owners and to the borough, Bruni said.

In some cases, roofs are caving in, windows are broken and siding is falling off.

“It’s an immediate positive impact for the people next door,” Bruni said. “When that abandoned house is gone, they rid an eyesore and eliminate a haven for rodents.”

Dadowski said residents are starting to take notice.

The borough has seen a significant uptick in the number of applications for the Vacant Property Recovery program through Allegheny County, he said.

Residents can acquire vacant properties for pennies on the dollar, so long as they provide a concrete plan to reuse and maintain the space.

“The overall level of phone calls we take in with people interested or asking about the program is encouraging,” Dadowski said. “People are starting to value the property.”

Bruni said the impact of the demolition project extends beyond aesthetics.

“The typical homeowner doesn’t have the means to acquire, demolish and turn the property into a side yard,” he said. “When the borough takes care of that initial step, it makes the property a lot more accessible.”

Dadowski said he is a prime example, having purchased the property next to his and doubled the size of his lawn.

“You get rid of the eyesore, and a little green space never hurt anyone,” he said.

Bruni said council has a tentative list of up to 10 houses targeted for demolition next year.