Issue
How the city sells, transfers, and maintains the land and buildings it owns.
City Council
Pittsburgh may reinstate side yard sales. The program allows residents to purchase abandoned lots adjacent to their homes at a reduced rate. Lot prices will increase to $1,500. An online calculator will show the total cost, which includes fees such as the deed transfer tax, which is based on the land’s assessed value.
City Council
The city isn't subject to fines for code violations on property it owns. On Sept. 15, council took up a controller's audit that found 4,330 code investigations of city-owned properties from 2021 through 2023. An audit official said there's no cohesive process for dealing with them. He said that sends taxpayer money toward notices that just end up in a bin.
City Council
Out-of-state companies can buy city property at auction, and council wants a way to stop that. On Dec. 17, council denied four tax sales to buyers from Florida, Virginia, and Texas. A council member called mass buying by such companies the biggest threat to affordable housing. Bidding has no residency limits, but council can reject any sale for any reason.
City Council
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust wants the city to give it part of 8th Street for an outdoor venue. A council member raised concerns about giving up public riverfront property and suggested a lease instead. For now, council didn't send the bill to a vote. Members want to explore options such as an extended lease and ensuring public passage.
City Council
The Three Sisters bridges, two pump stations, and Schenley Park are close to gaining historic protection. Council gave them preliminary approval, and final designation is expected next week. Separately, a pending nomination already protects the former Office of Municipal Investigations building, which council approved selling in June. Council plans a public hearing on it, though no date is set.
City Council
Buying a City house can take up to two years under the existing program. With a new pilot, the City would clear titles first, cutting closing to about six months. Council has advanced the first five sales, all in the West End. Buyers would have to meet income limits and live in the home for at least five years.
City Council
A City building in the Strip District has sat unused for 10 to 20 years, the council budget director estimated. Council has affirmed selling it to the URA for $1. Unlike the City, the URA can weigh a buyer's plans along with price. However, the one member who voted no said State law required public hearings for similar sales.
City Council
Buying property from the City usually takes 12 to 18 months, sometimes up to two years. A resident who bought a City house in 2022 asked to cancel the sale, saying it deteriorated during the process. A council member raised concerns about the long process and the lack of property stabilization. Council approved a refund of the buyer's deposit, but no next steps were proposed.
City Council
Council is suspending the Side-Yard program, which let residents buy city-owned lots for $200 if they didn't build on them. Over several meetings, members couldn't agree on its future, so it's on hold until they settle on an alternative. One question was whether only adjoining property owners should qualify. For now, residents can still buy city property, just without the discount or the building limit.
City Council
About 1,000 traffic calming requests are waiting, and the city can only complete 10 a year. Now, council is considering spending $130,000 to unlock $1.3 million in federal funds. The grant would pay for three demonstration sites and a design guide for 10 high-need corridors. Projects are prioritized using crash data, nearby schools, and other factors.