A few property owners pleaded their cases Friday as Jeannette officials seek to have their blighted buildings torn down.

But most did not show for a demolition hearing, leaving code enforcement officer Bill Whetzel to deem them public nuisances in need of razing.

There were 19 properties addressed during a hearing Friday that would be taken down with a combination of funding sources.

Eight would be eligible for demolition through $10.4 million in federal American Rescue Plan funding set aside by Westmoreland County for such work in Jeannette and six other communities.

The remaining 11 would be eligible through the county’s redevelopment authority. That program is funded by a fee on recorded deeds and money is available to any municipality.

All of the properties involved in Friday’s demolition hearing have had years of code enforcement and property maintenance issues. Notices about the proposed demolition and hearing were sent to property owners and posted at each parcel.

Jeannette has been having demolition hearings regularly in recent years as officials try to identify and clear out blight.

Whetzel gave a time extension to property owner Charles Schade, who said he is seeking occupancy permits for 411, 417 and 437 S. Fifth St. He was given until Oct. 10 to get them inspected and fines paid.

Whetzel was skeptical that any of the three were livable.

“It’s in shambles inside,” he said of 437 S. Fifth St.

Properties deemed public nuisances on Friday and slated for demolition were:

• 112 S. 13th St., a former church. A man representing the owners said he planned to appeal.

“I don’t think that it can be saved, and I get a lot of complaints from the neighbors,” Whetzel said.

• 419 and 421 S. Fifth St.

• 610 Clay Ave., which previously was home to Queen Nails and is in the middle of a block.

• 11 E. Division St.

• 114 N. Third St.

• 304 and 322 Lafferty St.

• 707 St. Clair Ave.

• 708 1/2 Arlington Ave.

• 912 1/2 Scott Ave.

• 600 and 914-916 Gaskill Ave.

• 202 N. Fifth St.

A property owner at 126 N. Third St. was given time for a potential buyer to provide renovation plans to city officials.The owner of 423 S. Fifth St. was given time to get an inspection. He said someone was living there.

All the others are vacant.

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