Wanted: Buyers for vacant Leechburg properties
Two vacant lots on Siberian Avenue in Leechburg are up for auction.
Leechburg Council is accepting sealed bids for the residential parcels located at 127 and 137 Siberian Ave.
A blighted and unoccupied home was demolished from each lot last December.
Money from the lot sales will be put to use clearing other blighted properties in Leechburg.
There is no minimum bid and the lots are being offered “as is” to the highest bidder, Leechburg Mayor Wayne Dobos said.
Dobos said no bids have been submitted yet.
“We have had zero interest, and I am surprised by that,” Dobos said. “The word needs to get out.”
Sealed bids must be accompanied by 5% of the bid amount, which will be considered as refundable hand money if the bidder is unsuccessful. Council has the authority to reject any and all bids.
Dobos has spearheaded a borough beautification campaign since taking office and said he’s not done tackling blight in the borough.
“There are three or four more buildings we need to tear down,” Dobos said.
Dobos secured a 2018 Armstrong County grant earmarked for helping communities target blight that financed the $33,000 cost of demolishing both buildings in December.
“This is at no cost to taxpayers,” Dobos said.
Roger Waldenville, a Siberian Avenue resident of 31 years, said he is pleased to see the spruce-up.
“I was disgusted with how those homes looked for years before they were torn down. I am happy to see them go,” Waldenville said.
The grounds at both lots are currently mowed and kept tidy by borough street crews.
Dobos said feedback from the community has been positive.
“The residents on Siberian Avenue are ecstatic to see the homes gone. We are polishing the jewel of Leechburg,” Dobos said.
Sealed bids may be dropped off at the borough office at 260 Market St. during normal business hours.
Bids will be opened and reviewed by council Aug. 20.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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