Tarentum fights blight, designates 9 homes for condemnation

Tarentum Council is carrying its fight against blight into 2022 by eyeing nine structures to be demolished by year’s end.

Council on Tuesday authorized the homes — four on the east side of town and five on the west — to be designated for condemnation.

They are:

• 520 E. Fifth Ave.

• 505-507 E. Eighth Ave.

• 529 E. Ninth Ave.

• 628-630 E. Ninth Ave.

• 338 W. 10th Ave.

• 110 W. 11th Ave.

• 1219 Pitcairn Ave.

• 105 Britton Way.

The property along West 10th contains two structures, Code Enforcement Officer Anthony Bruni said.

Each of the nine buildings has unresolved code violations that could result in health and safety hazards, Borough Manager Michael Nestico said.

“Deeming these condemned is a result of their condition,” he said. “These are all unsafe, and the owners are not being surprised with this designation.”

The duplex along East Eighth has holes in the roof and a collapsed foundation, Bruni said.

It’s marked with a red and white “X” on the front to alert police and emergency responders to use extreme caution and limit operations to the outside.

Likewise, one of the homes along East Ninth has floors that have collapsed.

Nestico said borough officials have made multiple attempts to contact property owners about the safety concerns.

Designating them for condemnation will not prohibit someone from making the necessary repairs, he said. It only keeps the process moving along.

“You’re not going to bring a machine over and tear it down when they’re saying they want to repair it, but they’re going to really have to step up,” Nestico said. “They’ve had plenty of time to do this. All of these have been sitting in disrepair for some time.

“If you get to the demo stage and repairs are still not done, they will be in line to be torn down.”

Bruni said he plans to seek bids in coming weeks and hopes to have the buildings razed by early fall.

Tarentum officials have been working to rid eyesores and dilapidated properties from the borough.

Last year, 26 abandoned homes were demolished. Council President Scott Dadowski said the efforts help to decrease crime and deter vandalism.

It also helps to get the properties back on the tax rolls by making them attractive for people who want to reuse the space, he said.