Downtown Blighted Buildings
Vacant buildings are a major cause and source of blight in both residential and non-residential neighborhoods, especially when the owner of the building fails to actively maintain and manage the building to ensure that it does not become a liability to the neighborhood. Vacant buildings which are boarded, substandard or unkempt properties, and long-term vacancies discourage economic development and retard appreciation of property values.
It is a responsibility of property ownership to prevent owned property from becoming a burden to the neighborhood and community and a threat to the public health, safety or welfare.
One vacant property which is not actively and well maintained and managed can be the core and cause of spreading blight.
The below information was taken from current Photographs, Newspaper Articles and the Fayette County Property Assessment Website.
August 3, 2011
District Judge Ronald Haggerty levied fines against Connellsville property owner Rodney Allen for two condemned properties in the city and continued citations for another 30 days against a third. Haggerty ruled on Tuesday after summary trials on 115-117 S. Pittsburgh St., 223 N. Third St. and 123 E. Apple St. Allen did not attend the trials. His wife, Linda Allen, represented him and testified to Haggerty that she would have necessary work done or have the properties demolished. Connellsville health and code officer Tom Currey said citations against 115-117 S. Pittsburgh St. and 223 N. Third St. date to June of 2009.
Currey asked Haggerty to find Allen guilty "to start the Act 90 process." Three guilty convictions on the same property can lead to the city rehabilitating or demolishing the structure and then going after any of the owner's assets to recoup the cost. Allen said they would put up a roof "in the spring. If it becomes a danger point, and without a structural engineer I can't see if it's a danger point." Haggerty found Allen guilty and imposed a fine of $100 plus costs.
The owner of 168 West Crawford is currently in the process of fixing it up.
