Former Fort Pitt Brewery in Jeannette recommended for demolition

The former Fort Pitt Brewery in Jeannette and seven other structures in the city were deemed public nuisances Tuesday and recommended for demolition.

It was a formality for the crumbling multibuilding brewery complex in West Jeannette that has been acquired by the Westmoreland County Land Bank in preparation for redevelopment.

The police were called to the dilapidated property Saturday for a trespassing complaint despite the installation of a fence around it, Fire Chief Bill Frye said. No one appeared at Tuesday’s hearing to object to the old brewery’s demolition.

The property was owned by Frank Trigona’s Rufus Corp. The businessman died in 2015, leaving delinquent taxes that sent it through the judicial sale process.

“It’s a very unsafe building,” Frye said.

The property was purchased at judicial sale last month by the land bank for $1,876.

Jeannette is seeking $800,000 in state funding to put toward the demolition, which is estimated at $1 million or more. The county will contribute money from its American Rescue Plan allocation, but how much has yet to be determined.

While plans for the old brewery site could make a difference for all city residents, the seven other properties deemed public nuisances hit closer to home for neighborhoods. Frye detailed code, property maintenance and safety violations at each parcel during the hearing.

Ongoing deterioration since a 2016 fire at 518 Gaskill Ave. has left the now-abandoned home leaning on Kevin Vauls’ property next door. Strong winds make him concerned.

“That house definitely needs to come down. I don’t know how much longer it’s going to take before it falls into our house,” he said at Tuesday’s hearing.

City officials said they are seeking funding for demolition of all of the properties deemed public nuisances Tuesday from Westmoreland County. Frye said he hopes to have the Gaskill property torn down this year.

The others slated for demolition are in various states of disrepair:

• Frye said the interior of a row house at 425 S. Fifth St. has completely collapsed.

• Squatters have been living at 509 Lavelle St., which was the scene of a fire in April 2020.

• The former St. Mark’s Church on Western Avenue looks like its foundation has started to crack, and the building could be in danger of collapsing onto the road, sidewalk or a neighboring house.

• More squatting has been found at 428 Chestnut St.

• 8 Vale St. has been the site of illegal dumping.

• One property that has been high on the city’s priority list is 522 Scott Ave. Demolishing that house could make a big impact on the street, Frye said.

“This is the only house that’s that bad on that block,” he said. “There’s a lot of owner-occupied (houses) on that side of the block up there.”

Mayor Curtis Antoniak said some of the demolitions could free up side yards for neighbors who will then take care of the properties. Vauls expressed interest in possibly taking over the Gaskill Avenue land next door.

“Hopefully, we get a lot more people like you,” Antoniak said. “That will definitely help clean up our town.”

The owner of 420 Chestnut St. got a reprieve after attorney Maximilian Beier argued on his behalf. The owner, who lives in California and successfully rehabilitated another property in Jeannette, plans to completely renovate the home by this time next year, Beier said.

Frye permitted the owner to have 60 days to secure the property and clean up the vegetation.