Vacant Property Program Waives Fees between now and July 15

[Taris Vrcek]

Hi all,

A lot of people in our community have taken advantage of the County's vacant property program. Here is an opportunity to get fees waived if you are considering it: http://wesa.fm/post/allegheny-county-seeks-fight-blight-recovery-program

Thanks!

-Taris

Taris Vrcek, Executive Director
McKees Rocks Community Development Corporation
531 Chartiers Avenue
McKees Rocks, PA 15136
p: (412) 608-6765
e: tvr...@mckeesrocks.com
w: www.mckeesrocks.com

[Rob Doerr]

I think this is a great program, but, in all honesty, who's really got the thousands of extra dollars laying around to buy a property and THEN have to pay to rehab it?  I know very few people will have that kind of money.  Instead of charging people to do something good, the County should allow the property to be taken over and used as outlined without a charge, but enforce the yearly real estate/property taxes on the parcel.  It gets the property back on the tax rolls and saves it from further deterioration.  I'll tell you right now, the amount to purchase the property up-front is keeping A LOT of people from doing this.  Just some input....

 

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[Taris Vrcek]

Good input.  I would forward your suggestion to the County, Rob.  

[Rob Doerr]

Haha, yes, I would...however I believe they would laugh at me.  My "common sense" doesn't always make political sense to those in power.  But, if you think about it, many of these properties would be snapped up almost immediately if that were the case (what I outlined).  I know for a fact Paul and I would do it if there were a vacant (no structure) property next to us.  We're kind of in a conundrum here.  We have blighted properties WITH structures - most of which cannot be saved.  They're too far gone.  So not only are you buying the whole sha-bang for what it's assessed at, but then you've got to pay to have the structure removed.  That's a lotta' pizza dough!  LOL

 

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From: tvr...@mac.com
Subject: Re: Vacant Property Program Waives Fees between now and July 15
Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:13:10 -0400
To: sto-rox-b...@googlegroups.com

[Taris Vrcek]

it sucks actually, and its a problem County wide.  PCRG (pcrg.org) has a vacant property working group that is working with the County and other regional organizations on a solution.  And we're at the table for those discussions.  Unfortunately, that solution is not there yet, however, your suggestions are the type of input that's needed now.  Don't be deterred!

[Rob Doerr]

Alright!  :)

 

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From: tvr...@mac.com
Subject: Re: Vacant Property Program Waives Fees between now and July 15

Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:20:01 -0400
To: sto-rox-b...@googlegroups.com

[Maribeth Taylor]

my two cents, Rob first off, can you please print in a larger print, as many of us are getting older (not yet old lol)

7.5 is way to small to read. I personally have to enlarge all your messages in order to read. Thanks.

 

As far as the vacant property program I agree getting it back on the tax book as a viable property is important,

however the county spends 100 of man hours to get clear titles and have to have their work compensated. not just employee

pay put also legal fees and mailing cost. If these properties were available at no cost it would just create greater pool of

 

slum owners. It's the slum lords that tend to get  the inside information and if these properties were at no cost they would suck them up and throw some paint on or do as little as possible and rent to anyone that would pay. So the reason behind the price is not for the purpose of the county to make a buck but to cover their fees and help stabilize communities.

 

I know there are measures that could be put in place such as you have to live in the home but if I am a responsible home owner that would exclude me for being eligible unless I plan on moving to the vacant property. We all know there has to be a better way, we just have not discovered the perfect solution.  The county has made great strides but still has a way to go. Any suggestions forwarded to them can only provide reasons to rethink the process.

 

Rob,

 

if you get a minute give me a call tomorrow I do want to run something by you please 412-973-0518

 

Maribeth
 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Rob Doerr

Sent: 06/18/13 10:24 AM

To: sto-rox-b...@googlegroups.com

Subject: RE: Vacant Property Program Waives Fees between now and July 15

[luc...@comcast.net]

The vacant property program does have a lot of flaws. 

As far as paying the assessed value and I think paying the back taxes, it is a huge chunk of change to come up with for people who would like to put the property on the tax roles and start cleaning up the town.

 

There has to be a solution out there, and I think if everyone gets an idea, and puts it out there maybe just maybe a good idea can be had.  As the program stands now, it is way too much money for most people to put out. Am I correct in understanding that if the structure is falling down, and lets say assessed at 10,000 that you have to pay that price and all the back taxes?  If that is the case, no wonder no one is doing it.  Waving the fee is just not enough to get people to buy them.

 

What about tax amnesty?  Some municipalities are doing that, because they are not getting the taxes anyway, and why keep holding out for what you will never receive.

 

Maribeth, you are exactly right the program is very flawed and these flaws need to be fixed in order for the program to work.  Hopefully the county will listen to ideas to make the program better and to encourage people to participate in it.

 

Just my opinion

 

Kathy

Kathy Evich
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this email are the writer's
and only the writer's and do not reflect the views and opinions
of others associated with this email.

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From: "Maribeth Taylor" <mbta...@mail.com>
To: sto-rox-b...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 9:40:54 PM

[Maribeth Taylor]

No you do not pay the back taxes, the title is free and clear
 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: luc...@comcast.net

Sent: 06/18/13 10:05 PM

To: sto-rox-b...@googlegroups.com

[luc...@comcast.net]

Ok thank you,

 

It was a misunderstanding on my part.  Thanks for clearing it up!

 

Kathy

Kathy Evich
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this email are the writer's
and only the writer's and do not reflect the views and opinions
of others associated with this email.

---

From: "Maribeth Taylor" <mbta...@mail.com>
To: sto-rox-b...@googlegroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 10:56:27 PM