House near Murrysville's Pedora Park will be demolished

Murrysville officials have begun the process to try and demolish a long-abandoned property near Pedora Park.

Council members voted unanimously to designate the residence at 6283 Old William Penn Highway as a blighted structure.

“This isn’t a fixer-upper,” code enforcement officer Nick Ruffner said.

The property was posted as being hazardous in February 2022.

“The building has long been abandoned and neglected,” Ruffner told council members. “Upkeep on the property has become a nuisance for neighbors.”

Ruffer said a third of the building’s foundation has deteriorated and been exposed to the elements for several years.

According to county deed records, the property was owned by Sheila E. Edwards, who purchased it for just over $24,000 in 2001. Edwards died in 2001.

Ruffner said several letters mailed to the executor of her estate over the years have been returned to the municipality with the exception of a final letter sent in March.

The municipality adopted an ordinance about a year ago which mandates that a public hearing take place before the demolition process starts.

“After tonight, the property owner will have 30 days to address the issues with the structure or else it will be taken to the district magistrate for an order to demolish,” Ruffner said.

Murrysville Community Development Director Jim Morrison said blighted-property cases don’t usually make it this far.

“In most cases, the owner will tear it down,” Morrison said. “In this case, we don’t believe that’s going to occur.”

Morrison also recommended linking the property to the cost of demolition so that the municipality can potentially recoup the demolition costs.