Redevelopment sought for formerly blighted Scottdale property

A developer for a formerly blighted property in downtown Scottdale is wanted, Westmoreland redevelopment officials said.

Two parcels at the intersection of Market Street and South Broadway that served as the home of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Scottdale for two decades are ready for a new owner to return the more than 10,000-square-foot properties back to the tax rolls, said Brian Lawrence, executive director of the Westmoreland County Land Bank.

“We want to see someone do something with it,” Lawrence said.

The land bank paid $33,000 to demolish a dilapidated building on the site, which was donated to the agency last year.

The building had become a safety hazard and eyesore that created a poor first impression for visitors to the borough, Scottdale manager Angelo Pallone said.

The building’s demolition and anticipated redevelopment has town officials excited.

“Some people want a parking lot there, but that doesn’t solve anything. We’d rather see development of some sort. We’re hoping to get something in there that will draw more business to our town,” Pallone said.

Proposals to purchase and redevelop the site will be accepted through May 20.

Lawrence said the land bank will consider the proposed purchase price but also potential uses for the property when deciding on a buyer.

“Price isn’t the only consideration. We want to see the tax base built up there,” Lawrence said.

The land bank, created in 2014, operates in 24 communities across the county. The nonprofit is an arm of the county’s Redevelopment Authority with a goal to take ownership of blighted properties and restore them to local tax rolls.

Since its inception, the land bank has acquired about 160 properties. More than 110 properties have been sold, including 45 sites purchased by developers, Lawrence said. Ten land bank properties were converted into green space.

The land bank has 35 properties for sale, officials said.