Jun. 04, 2021
BRACKENRIDGE – Yesterday, Reps. Carrie Lewis DelRosso (R-Allegheny/Westmoreland) and Rosemary M. Brown (R- Monroe/Pike), chairwoman of the House Urban Affairs Committee, and members of the committee met with local code enforcers, elected officials and economic development professionals about how Pennsylvania’s current blight laws are being used and how proposed legislation might assist in tackling blight in communities across the Commonwealth.
“The 33rd District was lucky enough to recently receive grants to help improve blighted properties,” said Lewis DelRosso. “I want to thank members of the Urban Affairs Committee for coming to my district for this hearing. So many of our landmarks have not had proper care in years and I want our community to be a leader in making the Commonwealth shine. I am eager to help create legislation that will do just that.”
Testifiers during this public hearing included Dino Lopreiato, owner of Vibo’s Bakery in Brackenridge and member of Brackenridge Council; Sean Watson, real estate owner of Commonwealth Investments, Sustainable Matters and co-owner of BotL and Dattola Theater; JP Marino, commercial property owner; Joe Hughes, director of government relations, District Council 57, and member of Pittsburgh Building Trades; Jason Rigone, director of planning and development for Westmoreland County and executive director of Industrial Development Corporation; and Lance Chimka, director of economic development for Allegheny County.
“There are many communities throughout Pennsylvania that have blighted properties, which can affect both commercial and residential investments in those areas,” said Brown. “Yesterday’s hearing really gave the committee a glimpse of the negative impacts these properties inflict as well as their potential success should they be invested in and transformed. I want to thank Rep. Carrie Lewis DelRosso for having us in the 33rd Legislative District and helping lead this important hearing. I look forward to reviewing future legislation that will help address the various blight issues that were brought to our attention.”
According to the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, hundreds of thousands of blighted and abandoned buildings are spread across Pennsylvania, impeding community and economic development programs and conveying images of old, worn out communities. The economic cost of blighted properties is high, affecting residents, businesses, and all levels of government. Neglecting to remediate and remove blighted properties has long term economic consequences that can take decades to reverse.
To view the full hearing, watch the video below:
The Urban Affairs Committee is responsible for reviewing legislation regarding housing, specifically affordable housing; community redevelopment; economic development; land use planning and zoning; growth management; infrastructure financing; and issues regarding Pennsylvania's cities.
For more information concerning the House Urban Affairs Committee and future scheduled meetings and hearings
visit here.
Representative Carrie Lewis DelRosso
33rd District
Representative Rosemary M. Brown
Chairwoman of House Urban Affairs Committee
189th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contacts:
(Brown) Abby Chiumento,
achiumento@pahousegop.com
(Lewis DelRosso) Michelle Swab,
mswab@pahousegop.com
RepBrown.com /
RepCarrieLewisDelRosso.com
Reps. Carrie Lewis DelRosso (R-Allegheny/Westmoreland) and Rosemary M. Brown (R- Monroe/Pike), chairwoman of the House Urban Affairs Committee, and members of the committee met with local code enforcers, elected officials and economic development professionals about how Pennsylvania’s current blight laws are being used and how proposed legislation might assist in tackling blight in communities across the Commonwealth.