Leechburg Area School Board approves joining land bank in fight against blight
Leechburg officials are one step closer to joining the Armstrong County Land Bank.
The Leechburg Area School Board voted 5-4 to approve joining the land bank at its regular meeting last month — a move applauded by Leechburg Mayor Tony Roppolo.
“I’m thrilled the school board did pass it,” Roppolo said.
School directors voting against were Andrew Pallus, Ashley Coudriet, Tom Maxin and Matthew Jagodrinski.
“I didn’t think the reason the land bank was being used was the correct way, ” Pallus said. “I think there were other solutions to fix the problems other than joining the land bank.”
Pallus said he would have liked to see borough officials work with county officials.
“I feel like we should have talked with the county commissioners for their support,” he said.
Land banks operate by overseeing the renovation of properties or the removal of blighted buildings to provide vacant lots for redevelopment. The goal is to get properties back on the tax rolls, which benefits the municipality, county and school district.
The school district does not have to pay any fees associated with land bank membership.
For Roppolo, the approval is welcome news.
Roppolo has spearheaded efforts to clean up blighted and abandoned buildings in the borough since becoming mayor after the death of former Mayor Wayne Dobos in 2022.
Leechburg Area School Director Neill Brady voted in favor of joining the land bank and said it’s a step in the right direction in the continuing fight against blight in the borough.
“Land is in a repository, and people are not evicted,” Brady said. “By voting for the land bank, it shows support of the school district with the borough on its goal to clean up Leechburg.”
He said participation in the land bank won’t be a hardship for residents.
“There’s no impact on taxpayers. Currently, these properties are not paying any taxes and have been offered in sheriff sales to no avail,” Brady said.
Council voted to join the land bank at its meeting in February.
The cost of joining is $500.
Leechburg Solicitor Jim Fevero will handle the land bank application process, Roppolo said.
“A land bank is great. It’s a win-win situation for all parties involved. I’m anxious for us to get into the land bank,” Roppolo said.
Brigid Beatty, program manager for the Armstrong County Department of Planning and Development, said Leechburg’s application process is expected to take several months.
When approved, Leechburg would be the third borough in the county to join the land bank, behind Apollo and Kittanning.
“It’s good because it’s a good mechanism to have in place for when the right property comes up and is particularly useful in a judicial sale (various tax sales that happen annually). It’s a good way for the land bank to get the property. The main reason property is acquired is so it can be cleaned up and get back on the tax rolls,” Beatty said.
Last month, Roppolo met with officials from Armstrong’s planning department to move forward with the demolition of two blighted buildings in the borough.
“We’re going to continue to clean up Leechburg, and I’m proud of this town,” Roppolo said.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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