Vandergrift takes another step in its efforts to fight blight in the borough

When dealing with blighted properties, the answer is almost always addition by subtraction.

That scene is playing out in Vandergrift, where officials are making progress in the fight against blight.

Two dilapidated and long-abandoned buildings, at 109 and 111 Washington Ave., were reduced to piles of debris after demolition crews began tearing them down earlier this month.

An abandoned three-bay garage at 117½ Longfellow St. was torn down in November, according to Brian Lawrence, executive director of the Westmoreland County Land Bank.

The total demolition cost for the two Washington Avenue buildings is $34,750.

“The demolition project in Vandergrift is being funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, a federal program designed to address health impacts of the covid pandemic, and one of those elements (is) the built environment,” Lawrence said.

To date, the land bank has targeted about 500 properties in need of demolition. Since September, it has worked with seven municipalities to demolish 13 buildings.

Another 38 condemned structures are under contract, and eight buildings are out to bid.

The Westmoreland County Land Bank’s American Rescue Plan Act funding is $10.4 million, and the disbursement must be used by Dec. 31, 2028.

Participating municipalities include Arnold, New Kensington, Vandergrift, Greensburg, Jeannette, Penn Borough and Monessen.

Vandergrift business owner Kurt Dunmire of North Apollo owns Dunmire Furniture, which is connected to one of the affected buildings. The demolition of that building, a former car dealership, began Feb. 13.

“It was a little bit nerve-wracking. (But) the only inconvenience to me was when they had to block off one lane of traffic and parking in front of my store for a few days. But, hey — it’s progress, right?” Dunmire said. “I’m pleased they did it because there was always the possibility it might collapse. It was good to take it down before it came down on its own.

“The only thing we noticed from the huge holes in the roof of that place: Every time it rained, there was that black mold, kind of musty smell from the elements. It never got sunlight or air to dry it out and could have been a potential health risk.”

Lutterman Excavating of Greensburg was awarded the demolition contract.

Excavator Cody Levay was clearing debris Tuesday with a large backhoe.

He described the job as challenging because of the age of the buildings, both of which date to the 1900s.

“It was stressful. These are buildings almost 30 feet high, and they’re attached to other buildings. I had to be extremely cautious. The residents seem to be happy though,” Levay said.

For years, both Washington Avenue buildings had been marked off-limits with yellow tape as a precaution.

The demolitions went smoothly, and Lutterman is planning to build a Redi-Rock wall at the site. Levay estimates the project will take a few more weeks to finish.

“These projects typically take about 45 to 90 days,” he said.

Lawrence said remediation work will be completed on joists that tied into neighboring properties. When joists are removed, it can open the next property to water intrusion.

“Building codes in 1905 weren’t exactly what they are today,” Lawrence said. “That happens after the demolition. It will be worlds better than what it was. This scenario plays out hundreds of times well beyond (Vandergrift). Blight is a problem in every community.”

Borough officials said the cleared lots will be maintained until they are sold.

Dunmire stressed that removing blighted properties should remain a priority in Vandergrift.

“It will be an improvement for the borough. It’s important to rid the community of these buildings, and it will be a visual improvement for the entire lower end of Vandergrift,” he said.

“I think of it as restoring a sense of hope in these neighborhoods that have been left behind for 30 to 40 years in some cases. These vacant, abandoned, blighted buildings are constant reminders of a past that’s no longer there, and they require an incredible amount of public resources.”

Cleared debris is being transported to various landfills in Westmoreland County, and dump receipts are provided by the contractors to ensure the debris is disposed of legally and properly, Lawrence said.

Vandergrift Councilwoman Marilee Kessler said removing blighted properties might spur other improvements in the borough.

“People are willing to invest their resources whether it be for home ownership or business if they see that things are improving,” she said. “As a Realtor, I’ve had many comments recently that are positive about our times, and it can only get better if the fighting blight efforts are continued.”

Vandergrift business owner Robert Buchanan said he noticed the demolition efforts last week and is pleased to see officials tackling blighted properties.

“Our hope is that demolition plans can be followed up with the best use and construction plans for the plots,” Buchanan said. “Demolition of all the blight is another, although unfortunate, step toward revitalization.”

Another blighted property, at 122 Franklin Ave., is eligible to be razed, and Lawrence said officials plan to work with the property owners to move demolition plans forward.

The abandoned garage on Longfellow Street was demolished after the borough took legal action and used an $11,900 grant from the federal Community Development Block Grant program to tear it down.