Arnold Council rejected offers to purchase abandoned properties from two buyers who do not live in Western Pennsylvania.
In one case, a person from Philadelphia offered $800 for two vacant lots at 1711 and 1713 Third Ave. The other offer was from a person in Los Angeles, who bid $1,507 for the property at 1430 Fifth Ave.
Council members balked at the offers in large part because of similar offers made in the past from people living out of the area or out of state. Those bidders never followed through with developing the vacant properties they purchased.
In addition, officials said, absentee owners often neglected to maintain the properties, resulting in dangerous structural conditions or overgrown lots the city was then forced to maintain.
Referring to one offer, Councilman Phil McKinley said, “The chances of this guy buying and maintaining them are zero to none.”
Council unanimously rejected that offer and didn’t bring the other offer to a vote.
Solicitor Jacqueline Shaw questioned whether there was any reason to put the other offer to a vote if council intended to reject it. No council members moved to put it to a vote, essentially killing that offer.
“If it dies on the floor or is voted down, it’s the same effect,” Shaw said.
