House Urban Affairs Committee hearing discusses blight laws

The House Urban Affairs Committee recently held a hearing to discuss how blight laws are being used and how proposed legislation might tackle blight statewide.

According to the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, hundreds of thousands of blighted and abandoned buildings dot the state. These buildings hamper economic development for decades.

Speakers at the hearing included Jason Rigone, Westmoreland County director of planning and development and Industrial Development Corp. executive director; Lance Chimka, Allegheny County director of economic development; Joe Hughes, District Council 57 director of government relations and Pittsburgh Building Trades member; Dino Lopreiato, Brackenridge Council member and Vibo’s Bakery owner; JP Marino, commercial property owner; and Sean Watson, Commonwealth Investments, Sustainable Matters real estate owner and BotL and Dattola Theater co-owner.

“There are many communities throughout Pennsylvania that have blighted properties, which can affect both commercial and residential investments in those areas,” Committee Chairwoman Rosemary M. Brown (R- Monroe/Pike) said. “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 look forward to reviewing future legislation that will help address the various blight issues that were brought to our attention.”