SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Scranton City Council says the area's blighted property problem has gotten out of hand. Now, they're proposing a new way to fix it.
Condemned properties with damaged and deteriorating exteriors are eyesores for residents across the city of Scranton.
Last night, Scranton City Council introduced a new way of handling blighted properties to the city's administration.
It's a legislative tool known as PA Act 135.
The idea is for the city to be able to take possession of a blighted property from the owner so that the city can decide what they want to do with it.
For example, if the property is in rough enough shape, it will be torn down, but properties that are not so bad can potentially be rehabilitated or resold. The city's current process involves issuing citations and warrants to owners of blighted property.
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However, if the property owner doesn't take action to fix the blight, the city could face legal consequences if they take matters into their own hands.
"I believe this will now get the attention of the people who have been ignoring the warnings the citations and the warrants. If you know that the city is going to take and receivership of your property I believe you will get a lot more action out of these people than just worrying about a ticket," said Scranton City Council President Gerald Smurl.
The city council is working with the city's administration and lawyers to see how they can move forward with this proposed way of fixing the blight problem.
