Is business starting to pick up in SWCC?

**Gaillimh** · 08-12-2009, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by Skintreesnail

I think properties that are derelict for an extended period of time with no plans in motion for development (plans that do not simply convert the property into a parking lot) should be confiscated by the city and sold to someone who will develop. The city needs to be held to selling these properties as quickly as possible.

The owners of these properties need to be “encouraged” in some way to take some sort of responsibility of their ownership. There needs to be some sort of standards set. Maybe imposing fines and forcing the owner to sell or develop would also work. As long as there are some rules around the development. Some cities impose rules around how many parking spaces are allowed in neighborhoods, which help ensure that property owners do not simply turn their properties into surface lots.

There is such a law, but it empowers neighbors and community associations to take control of the blighted properties, renovate and resell them. Its called the PENNSYLVANIA ABANDONED AND BLIGHTED PROPERTY CONSERVATORSHIP ACT. You can read plenty about it by googling the name of the Act.

**Skintreesnail** · 08-12-2009, 11:09 AM

Thanks for the info! Here's a link to the actual law, if anyone's interested:

HOUSE BILL 2188 P.N. 3126

I would think that a lot of properties in the city would fall into this category. The court only needs to find two out of the list beginning on page 6...

Anyone on this forum a lawyer?

The only thing that was keeping my wife and I from restoring a dilapidated property (my wife's an architect) in the neighborhood was that they are selling for 100 - 200K. A vacant lot on Bainbridge costs 250K. Coupled with the costs of renovating or building new, it's just too expensive, especially if we need to live in a rental while the renovations are taking place. This law seems like it might offer a more affordable alternative for folks interested in restoring some of the existing buildings around town, if I interpreted it correctly.

**lbphilly** · 08-12-2009, 11:50 AM

Was this passed? The version you link to simply says "referred to committee."

**nostradamamamos** · 08-12-2009, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by Skintreesnail

Thanks for the info! Here's a link to the actual law, if anyone's interested:

HOUSE BILL 2188 P.N. 3126

I would think that a lot of properties in the city would fall into this category. The court only needs to find two out of the list beginning on page 6...

Anyone on this forum a lawyer?

The only thing that was keeping my wife and I from restoring a dilapidated property (my wife's an architect) in the neighborhood was that they are selling for 100 - 200K. A vacant lot on Bainbridge costs 250K. Coupled with the costs of renovating or building new, it's just too expensive, especially if we need to live in a rental while the renovations are taking place. This law seems like it might offer a more affordable alternative for folks interested in restoring some of the existing buildings around town, if I interpreted it correctly.

I have something nearby you might be interested in taking a look at, that would be a much better value, at least in my twisted mind. I PM'd you, so please check your messages. Thanks and hope to hear from you.

**Skintreesnail** · 08-12-2009, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by lbphilly

Was this passed? The version you link to simply says "referred to committee."

Looks like it was passed in February:

Law Firm Of Pepper Hamilton LLP | Pennsylvania Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorship Act: What Property Owners Need to Know

**Mighty Writers** · 08-12-2009, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by dr_gingivitis

Yup, that is the big diference right now is we have no new buisnesses South of South down here on the East End with the exception of Mighty Writers at 15ht and Christian, which is a fantastic addition, but not really serving most residents.

Thanks for noticing us and for the kind words, Dr. Gingivitis. We do hope to serve most residents in the 7-18 age range. If you have any suggestions as to how we can do this better, please shoot me a line!

Sincerely,
Rachel Loeper
Program Director
Mighty Writers

**macdaire** · 08-13-2009, 08:49 AM

Rachel- i am guessing you have done this but I would suggest you contact all the local elementary and middle school principals/counselors and disseminate the info that way. This is the time of year school staff begin to accumalate and send out information on local programs. If you are unfamiliar with local schools pm me and I will forward you a list and contact info.

**mprams** · 08-13-2009, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by Skintreesnail

Looks like it was passed in February:

Law Firm Of Pepper Hamilton LLP | Pennsylvania Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorship Act: What Property Owners Need to Know

Can anyone identify a property as derelict? Or is it up to a neighborhood association to do so? I'm certain, given the abundance of boarded-up places (along 22nd and 23rd St, alone) that at least one or two qualify.

**Skintreesnail** · 08-13-2009, 10:32 AM

From what it sounds like to me, anyone can.

**lee** · 08-13-2009, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by mprams

Can anyone identify a property as derelict? Or is it up to a neighborhood association to do so? I'm certain, given the abundance of boarded-up places (along 22nd and 23rd St, alone) that at least one or two qualify.

According to the link: residents and business owners within 500 feet of the building (along with several others).

The buildings also have to meet other conditions, and I'm not sure the building on the northwest corner of Catharine and 22nd would qualify because, essentially, part of the building is occupied. Also, they have been doing crazy weird work on the building across the street, so in some twisted way they might claim "continuing improvements." In addition, both buildings are for sale, so that would take them out of the running, too.

**lbphilly** · 08-13-2009, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by lee

According to the link: residents and business owners within 500 feet of the building (along with several others).

The buildings also have to meet other conditions, and I'm not sure the building on the northwest corner of Catharine and 22nd would qualify because, essentially, part of the building is occupied. Also, they have been doing crazy weird work on the building across the street, so in some twisted way they might claim "continuing improvements." In addition, both buildings are for sale, so that would take them out of the running, too.

They have to be actively marketed, though, and they have to be current on their permits. The bill has a checklist of nine species of badness; if the building meets three of them, one has a shot at it.

**lee** · 08-13-2009, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by lbphilly

They have to be actively marketed, though, and they have to be current on their permits. The bill has a checklist of nine species of badness; if the building meets three of them, one has a shot at it.

I think the one on the NW corner would classify as being "actively" marketed; I know they're showing, and I heard that someone actually wanted to buy not too long ago but the financing fell through. The one on the other corner supposedly is priced insanely high, so that might not fit the "active" requirement.

**Lolly** · 08-16-2009, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by Gaillimh

There is such a law, but it empowers neighbors and community associations to take control of the blighted properties, renovate and resell them. Its called the PENNSYLVANIA ABANDONED AND BLIGHTED PROPERTY CONSERVATORSHIP ACT. You can read plenty about it by googling the name of the Act.

This should be interesting to watch...

Germantown Conservancy to take on blight | Plan Philly: Planning Philadelphia's Future

"According to Germantown Conservancy co-chairman Peter J. Wirs, the newly formed non-profit, which is representing a coalition of local community groups, will file the first petition under Act 135, the Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorship Act, signed into law this past November 26, 2008 by Governor Ed Rendell."

**Jayfar** · 08-16-2009, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by Lolly

This should be interesting to watch...

Germantown Conservancy to take on blight | Plan Philly: Planning Philadelphia's Future

"According to Germantown Conservancy co-chairman Peter J. Wirs, the newly formed non-profit, which is representing a coalition of local community groups, will file the first petition under Act 135, the Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorship Act, signed into law this past November 26, 2008 by Governor Ed Rendell."

Fascinating, but the numbers are daunting:

The petition, to be filed early next week in the Court of Common Pleas seeks control over 331 buildings or vacant lots representing 310 projects in the 12th, 13th and 59th Wards (Lower and Upper Germantown), 22nd Ward (Mt. Airy) and the 9th Ward (Chestnut Hill) which include such historical landmarks as the Germantown Town Hall, Loundon, the now-destroyed Garrett-Dunn House, the Tulpehocken Train Station and the Nugent-Presser buildings.

[snip]

* Total estimated cost for building owners to bring their properties up to code. $452,228,705

* Total estimated cost for conservator to rehabilitate properties for re-sale to general public. $505,770,907

* Total number of construction jobs generated by appointment of conservator. 3,479.

* Total City tax revenue generated by new construction jobs. $8,885,390.

**lbphilly** · 08-16-2009, 10:23 PM

Originally Posted by Jayfar

Fascinating, but the numbers are daunting:

They've taken a big bite here. Just Germantown Town Hall could eat up lots of bucks in a big way.

Germantown Town Hall on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I doubt that our major distressed landmarks -- the Royal Theater, Southwest Belmont, the old freight shed at 15th and Carpenter -- would fit the criteria. Our remaining distressed buildings probably mass a lot smaller in terms of cost of rehab.

**Lolly** · 08-17-2009, 01:33 AM

Originally Posted by Jayfar

Fascinating, but the numbers are daunting:

You left out this stat:

"172 properties or 51.96% of all projects are in arrears for $2,057,685 in city real estate taxes."

Wow.

One would hope the result of such action could be that a good number of owners will take heed, and take advantage of the built-in safeguards while the going is still good...

"Act 135 provides three specific constitutional safeguards by which the building owner can keep the property by correcting the code violations or satisfying the conservator's liens, otherwise the court-appointed conservator can sell the property."

Seems to me now's the time to get off your ass and sell for a fair price on the open market.