A new blight-fighting program is set to come to New Kensington and Arnold now that the cities’ school district has gotten on board.

The New Kensington-Arnold School Board voted Tuesday to join the Westmoreland County Land Bank. Its approval was needed for either city to join.

Westmoreland County established the land bank in 2013, and it started the following year. It works with municipalities to identify and research blighted properties, repair them or tear them down, and return them to the tax rolls.

The county and participating municipalities and school districts agree to exonerate past-due taxes. They also give up half of the property tax revenue collected on properties that go through the land bank for five years. That money goes to support the land bank’s operations.

That’s why the school district’s approval was needed for the cities to participate.

New Kensington Council in April approved joining the program, contingent on the school district. With the school district in, Arnold Council will vote at its meeting Tuesday, Mayor Joe Bia said.

“We are pleased that all of the interested parties have the same vision as we do,” Bia said. “We are excited and look forward to everything the land bank has to offer in fixing a broken process and help in cleaning up our city.”

New Kensington Mayor Tom Guzzo said he was glad the school board voted for the land bank.

“I think the county did an excellent job of presenting the program to all three entities by demonstrating that they have the resources and tools to obtain site control and to deal with properties that have title issues,” he said. “This will assist us in eliminating potential and existing blight and provides us an opportunity to market the properties for redevelopment throughout the city.”

Joining the land bank comes with no upfront cost to the school district. School board President Tim Beckes said it “sounds like a no-lose proposition.”

Each city is required to pay a $5,000 joining fee. Arnold’s redevelopment authority has agreed to cover the city’s cost, Councilman George Hawdon said.

“They thought there was a tremendous amount of value in it,” he said.

With the support of its own redevelopment authority, neighboring New Kensington and now the school district, Hawdon said he anticipates the majority of Arnold Council to be in favor of joining.

“I don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t be able to go forward with it,” he said. “It’s a terrific tool to have. I’m really looking forward to being part of the land bank.”

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