Pottsville approves demolition of 7 properties

The City of Pottsville took its blight fight to a new level Monday by approving the demolition of seven run-down properties.

They include what City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said was "the worst of the worst" properties on the list compiled by the Pottsville Blight Task Force - 674 N. Second St., a row home that sustains constant damage from exposure because its front door is broken off its hinges. The owner is Said Attalla, Mississauga, Canada.

"We're hoping we can start the demolition in the next couple weeks," Palamar said at the council's regular monthly meeting at council chambers, City Hall.

The council awarded five demolition contracts to Penn Earthworks for the following addresses. The names of the owners of those properties and the cost of the demolition projects include: 674 N. Second St., Attalla, $19,850; 439 Fairview St., Joseph Yutz Jr., $16,300; 433 Fairview St., Andrew Chillemi, $18,800; 303 N. Ninth St., Garage Flex LLC, $19,850; and 657 N. Second St., Investment Property Cheap, $17,770.

The council awarded two demolition contracts to Northeast Industrial for the following addresses. The owners' names and the cost of the demolition projects include: 407 W. Laurel Blvd., Apt. & Acquisitions, $20,750; and 235 Pierce St., Tina Brown, $15,350.

The Brown property was the site of the accidental fire that left four children and two adults dead in Pottsville on Mother's Day.

The council plans to use $80,503 from its 2011 federal Community Development Block Grant and $75,000 from its 2012 CDBG account for the demolition project. The plan is to lien the cost of the demolition to the properties' owners.

"We're going to make them pay for it and the city will not take possession of any properties," Palamar said.

The council rejected demolition bids on three properties because they were too high. They include:

- 317 N. George St., owned by William Lucabaugh, received one bid from Northeast Industrial for $42,490.

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Pottsville approves demolition of 7 properties