Land bank looks to spend millions to return properties to the tax rolls.

The Pittsburgh Land Bank (PLB) has estimated it could cost $168.5 million to put 11,311 abandoned parcels back on the city’s tax rolls.

Council authorized the task force last summer to address the end of funding through American Rescue Plan Act money. That report was submitted on Dec. 26.

The report centers a five-year comprehensive blight eradication plan. An estimated $32.3 to $34.8 million per year would help the land bank put 11,311 properties back on the tax rolls. Currently, those properties account for $54.7 million in estimated delinquent property taxes.

The accompanying budget creates three six-figure positions. It also increases the inventory and construction manager’s 2025 salary of $27,470 to nearly $110,000 for 2026.

The PLB requested almost $1.5 million in the 2026 city budget. 

The task force noted its plan is unlikely to come to fruition. Its more realistic recommendations include establishing recurring city funding, cost-sharing agreements with the county and school district and institutional partnerships with organizations such as UPMC. It also suggests lobbying with other Pennsylvania land banks for a funding structure like Ohio’s, which ties funding directly to the land recycling process.

To increase sales, the task force recommended bundling structures to attract developers and increasing market-rate redevelopment. Currently, 80% of PLB dispositions must be for affordable housing, community use or green space.