Arnold plans to use federal covid-19 relief money to target blight

The landscape in Arnold could look vastly different several years from now, thanks to money from the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

The city will receive a portion of the $10.1 million sum allotted to Westmore­land County for blight remediation.

Arnold will then be able to tear down 79 of the 85 structures it would like to demolish.

What’s different about past allotments is that now the city can demolish properties in the same area rather than multiple structures scattered areas across the community.

“We can focus on a neighborhood, not a single property,” Mayor Joe Bia said.

In all, 504 Westmoreland County properties will be slated for demolition.

“If we stay focused, this can be a very different city in four years,” Councilman George Hawdon said. “We have different tactics to use, and there is a tremendous reason for optimism.”

The work won’t be done overnight, officials cautioned.

“The next stop is to ascertain the legal status of properties,” Howdon said. “Some have no owner. Some are in the tax sale process. We can then put together large enough lots to attract developers.”

One property, at 1708 Fifth Ave., was purchased from a county repository for $800. Now, the city has to declare it a nuisance property in order to tear it down.

Various residents who spoke to council have their own ideas as to where dilapidated structures exist, but officials took considerable time to explain the process to those experiencing blight in their neighborhoods.

Property owners’ rights were detailed to residents who wanted to enter vacant buildings to catch mice or other vermin.

Council also talked about a new mechanism where slumlords who move from community to community can be blocked.

Solicitor Jaclyn Shaw said she recently attended a session where county and other officials are figuring the most effective ways to address blight on properties where the owners can’t be found.