Jeannette recently accepted the donation of two neighboring properties on North Third Street with the intent of seeking funding for demolition.

Council members discussed the possibility of securing the vacant houses at 131 and 133 N. Third St. and holding off on filing the deed transfer until demolition funding is secured.

“We’re not taking on the liability associated with the full structure itself,” said solicitor Tim Witt.

Fire Chief Bill Frye said the homes are targets of children and vagrants and have been repeatedly broken into despite being secured by city officials.

“It does need to be dealt with,” he said.

Code officer Bill Whetzel brought the donation to council, adding that he recently had the property owner in court for violations. If the city didn’t take the properties over, they will continue to decay, he said. The owner hadn’t paid property taxes for at least seven or eight years, he said.

“Nothing will be done if we don’t do anything,” Whetzel said.

Council last month accepted the donation of a nearby property, 113 N. Third St.

Whetzel again brought up the possibility of the donation of three neighboring properties on Division Street. The owner of 319, 321 and 325 Division St. previously expressed interest about donating the now-empty lots where homes were destroyed and damaged by fire in October 2022. The issue was discussed at a September meeting and Whetzel said he learned the county redevelopment authority isn’t interested.

Council wasn’t either.

“I don’t want it,” said Mayor Curtis Antoniak.

The fires were deemed suspicious though no arrest has been made.

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