Jeannette moves forward with plan to demolish over a dozen properties to reduce blight

JEANNETTE, Pa. — The City of Jeannette is moving forward with plans to demolish 16 properties in an effort to eliminate local blight. Property owners will receive official notice this week, giving them 30 days to either appeal the decision or approve the demolition.

Jeannette City Manager Ethan Keedy confirmed the demolition effort will be funded by two grants, ensuring local tax dollars are not used.

“There’s no city taxpayer money going to demolish these structures,” Keedy said.

Keedy explained that vacant, deteriorating structures pose significant safety hazards to surrounding neighborhoods.

“One of the biggest concerns is these blight monsters, the blight structures within the communities, because they do create the mindset where ‘Oh, nobody’s there. Can I go in there,’” Keedy said. “You have an issue with squatters and trespassers and people damaging the structure even more and it becomes a safety issue.”

Three of the properties are currently in the appeals process. Owners seeking to appeal demolition decisions must schedule a walkthrough with a code enforcement officer on Tuesday or Wednesday of this week.

Following the walkthrough, property owners must present their rehabilitation plans and execute a binding timeline agreement.

“After that, they have to then present their plans, sign an agreement that within the next X amount of time, this is what we intend on doing to that property,” Keedy said.

If property owners fail to fulfill the terms of the agreement, the homes will return to the city’s demolition list.

The owner of one blighted mansion targeted by the city has already consented to demolition. After structures are removed, most parcels will remain under private ownership unless donated directly to the city.

Keedy said clearing the blighted lots will help increase nearby property values and create opportunities for future housing development.

“Our goal is to try to single out which ones can have that potential future, work with the investors and the property owners and get new homes built here for the residents of Jeannette,” Keedy said.

Demolition of the approved structures could begin as early as next year.

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