Abandoned property could help create unified area for Monroeville senior center, library, Gateway campus

An oddly shaped piece of property off Mosside Boulevard in Monroeville could be the key to creating an expanded area for use by residents, Gateway School District students and staff, and Monroeville Public Library patrons.

“It’s a unique historical property,” Monroeville Municipal Manager Alex Graziani said of about 4.2 acres situated on Mosside Boulevard between Juniper Village and the small shopping center that contains East Suburban Sports Medicine Center. “The Juniper Village driveway actually uses part of the parcel, and there’s some sort of storm water easement in the center of the property.”

On its westward side, the parcel juts in between the Monroeville Public Library and the Monroeville Senior Center. Graziani said the former property owner hadn’t paid taxes on the parcel since the mid-2000s, and in June it was acquired by the Tri-COG Land Bank in Homestead.

“We were approached by the municipality of Monroeville about this parcel,” Tri-COG Land Bank’s Executive Director An Lewis said. “(The parcel) either stays in a state of abandonment or we deed it to Monroeville. It’s going to be a public asset.”

According to Lewis, under the Pennsylvania Land Bank Act, which was passed in 2012, land banks have the unique power to clear titles, an action typically performed by the courts.

“What this does is clears up any title issues so that the property can be healthy again,” Lewis said.

This means that if there are any back taxes or unpaid bills, the new owners would not be held liable – basically, giving them a clean slate.

Graziani said that could pave the way for any number of future projects to benefit the larger community.

“It would give us an opportunity to expand not only the (library and senior center) buildings, but also to perhaps expand parking,” he said. “There isn’t anything currently that we’re looking to do on that property, other than include it in a possible master plan for the area over the next couple of years.”

Having the school district, public library and community senior center so close together creates a unique opportunity, Graziani said.

“It’s one big tax base paying into both the school district and municipality, so it would make sense to do some master planning for that area,” he said. “It’s a great resource to have all those things in one place. It’s the way a community should do things. It just makes a lot of sense for us to own this property.”

In order for any property to be transferred and cleared, the standard procedure is for all three local taxing bodies – the municipality, county and school district – to be notified.

Gateway’s school board postponed a decision last month on Tri-COG’s proposal to transfer the property to the municipality.

The board has 60 days from the time of notice to reject the transfer. If the district doesn’t respond within that time frame, it is assumed it is in agreement with the disposition, and will not try to collect any back taxes for the parcel.

“We deliberately try to make the process as transparent as possible and we welcome questions,” Lewis said.

Lewis said that the land can’t be used for much else.

“It’s just sitting out there being unproductive. Monroeville asked us to support two public assets, the library and the facility for seniors,” she added. “We always look for our highest and best use. It’s a good use that benefits the residents of Monroeville. Our work should support the taxpayers.”