Harrison takes another step in year-long battle to tear down blighted buildings

Harrison officials took another step in what apparently will be a yearlong process to demolish blighted buildings.

The commissioners Monday approved an agreement with the Allegheny County Redevelopment Authority regarding a state grant to finance those demolitions.

Under the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program for 2018, Harrison was awarded $500,000 for demolition of blighted properties, including environmental and asbestos testing.

The demolitions, most of which are in the township’s Natrona section, will clear the way for redevelopment of that neighborhood.

Using that money, Commissioner Charles Dizard, who oversees township code enforcement, said the township is aiming to demolish 40 structures in Natrona and three in the West Natrona neighborhood. The targeted structures include commercial and residential buildings.

“What we are doing here tonight is approving the relationship between the township and the Allegheny County Redevelopment Authority, which will act as a consultant for the demolitions,” Dizard said.

Dizard said that although the township has been awarded the grant, it must submit yet another application to the state as part of the process.

He said the pending application is more detailed and complicated and the township does not have the expertise to handle it alone, so the Redevelopment Authority will provide assistance.

He said the authority will be paid a fee of 2 percent of whatever the township spends on the project.

In addition to approving the agreement with the Redevelopment Authority, the commissioners authorized township Manager Rich Hill to send a letter to the state requesting an extension of a few months to file the application.

Dizard said the application deadline is Aug. 15 and the township’s application would not be able to meet that deadline.

Harrison has been involved in a decades-long battle to conquer blight in the township, particularly in Natrona. The area has experienced a long economic decline due to the loss of industry there and throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley and the resulting migration of younger residents looking for employment opportunities elsewhere.

That has led to a decline in the housing stock as more single-family homes have been taken over by absentee landlords, many of whom allowed the properties to deteriorate.

Before the commissioners approved the two measures regarding the grant, they heard a familiar refrain from residents of Natrona, pleading with them to take action on the blight there.

Karen Blake of Pine Street complained about an abandoned house near hers, where she has watched raccoons, rats and snakes going in and out of the property.

“We are homeowners down there,” Blake said. “We keep our properties nice. We want to live in a nice community.”

Hill and Commissioner Bill Poston said moving against those properties is not an easy task since many have no known owners to hold accountable and the township has to be careful with how it proceeds.

“We can’t demolish a property that we don’t own,” Hill said.

Dizard noted that five structures along Pine Street are on the list to be demolished under the state-funded program but it won’t be soon.

“That’s going to take another year,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hill advised the residents to contact the Allegheny County Health Department for assistance in getting rid of the animals attracted to such properties.