Addendum to June 2010 VPWG Minutes
Guest Speaker: John Jennings, Interim Chief, BBI;
Topic: Condemnations, Demolitions, Preservation and BBI
Discussion:
BBI’s intent is not to demolish structures
Background: Increase in demolition budget over the last 3 years = approximately 500 structures/year
Which structures:
Approximate Costs:
Concentrated homes (requires additional asbestos survey - $2000/bldg)
Per unit demo cost = $7-8,000
Currently 1,500 properties on the condemnation list.
Add approximately 300-500 structures per year.
Priority – bring down the ‘worst’ structures/public safety hazards:
Concentration in Neighborhoods: Garfield, Beltzhoover, Hazelwood, Homewood, Northside (more specific?), eg
Additional consideration: Historic District: Secure and save what can be saved – working with the community group sin those areas. Note: not everything can be saved.
Before can demo in historic district, must go to HRC (Historic Review Commission)
Question: Role of City Councilmembers in their districts w/r/t historic preservation?
Process:
Pre-demo 15-day waiting period for objections to come forward (at the point of
Question:
What does the notice stapled to property mean: Condemnation (and property is already under contract?)
Condemnation does not mean demolition – means ‘unfit for habitation’ and if go to sell, must bring it up to minimum code.
Notice of Demolition is mailed to property owner (at last known address) at point of public notice. (? Double check)
Demolition Contractors in Pittsburgh? Approximately 10 companies.
Once contract is signed with demolition company – have 30 days to start the demo and must stay on the site everyday until the demo/cleanup is complete.
Role of community groups: be eyes on the sites. Be an info source
Questions directed to 311 site
Give a priority list to BBI on what they want demo’d and what they want to preserve
Information:
Is it possible to be an information hub at VPWG?
ACTION: BDavidson to work with JJennings to coordinate communication of condemnation / demolitions process and VPWG as central recipient of info to distribute to community groups
This will allow groups to flag any structures for preservation, ask questions, mothball, etc.
ACTION: community groups to take surveys of their structures and communicate that to BBI
Privately owned properties? BBI legally cannot go in to preserve/secure-only to demolish
Policy Question: Is there some way to get access to the structure to patch roof, lien property, etc?
Note: If group is accessing property to secure, have to go in coordination with the owner, which requires permitting, and the permit is in the owners name, not the community group. Liability rests with the permit-holder
What records are kept and how to access them? When code violations exist and have been abated, the Inspector creates a report and keeps that on record at BBI. At that point, can occupy? Need occupancy permit?
How do you get something on and off the condemnation list?
A: building is vacant
B: Inspector goes out site inspection and verifies
C: Notifies owner that they need to secure
D: Does not get secured? police action
E: ReddUp goes and secures
F: 30day window to abate citation
G: Unabated? Housing Court
H: At housing court levy fine
I: Next day, BBI will fine again
This is continuous cycle with some structures
J: This cycle results in public nuisance
K: BBI gives condemnation notice
Condemnation process ensues--
Building permit:
To abate condemnation
To occupy
Condemnation List is key list to pay attention to.
New Permitting/Info System:
What info:
What violations at what address and when it was cited. If/when it was abated
List of permits per street (or specific address) that have been issued
Can file for simple building permits online
Pay for permits with credit card online
Anticipate System to go live in October/November 2010
Contact: Sylvia: 412-255-2195
Next Steps: JJennings, KGraziani, BDavidson, will coordinate information referrals
Note: positive impacts of demolishing seriously deteriorated structures (removal of blight, improved conditions for other public responders, remove opportunity for criminal activity, etc)
Lists:
Condemnations
Notification of Demolitions: can we add the community group to the list of people notified?
Out to Bid
Back from Bid
Date under Contract