Title
Resolution directing the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Building Inspection, to conduct an analysis of all abandoned and substandard housing on Ivondale Street and develop a plan for demolition, and also directing the Department of Public Works to perform a cost-benefit study regarding the repair of Ivondale Street, or in the alternative, to buy out property owners for the purposes of the remediation of the landslide conditions present on Ivondale Street.
Body
WHEREAS, the city's engineer made a determination that the public right-of way known as Ivondale Street, situated in the 15th Ward, had failed due to landslide conditions and provided the city with an estimate to restore the street at a cost not to exceed was $1 Million Dollars; and,
WHEREAS, there are numerous abandoned, derelict properties on Ivondale St. that pose a significant hazard to the community, including but not limited to fire hazards, rodent infestations, criminal activity and other conditions that denigrate the quality of life for city residents; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh has made no defined plans to fulfill its responsibilities to maintain the public order, public rights of way and the health and safety of city residents, and has to date failed to enforce the city's zoning and building codes; and
WHEREAS, on May 7, 2009, on abandoned property at 446 Ivondale Street, adjacent to the Anthony Street steps which are in deplorable and in an unsafe condition, a sexual assault was perpetrated upon a young girl from the area.
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Pittsburgh as follows:
Section 1. The Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Building Inspection, is herby directed to assess all abandoned structures on Ivondale St. for purposes of code enforcement and the listing of all properties that qualify for demolition. The assessment report shall be provided to the Council within 15 days of the effective date of the legislation.
The Department of Public Works shall cause a cost-benefit study to be performed with regard to the remediation of the landslide conditions and/or a buy out of the remaining residents so that the remediation of the landslide conditions can be effectuated. The Department of Public Works shall provide to the Council a report on its findings within 45 days of the conclusion of its assessment.
The Department of Public Works shall provide a cost estimate of the repair of the Anthony Street steps and provide the same to the Council. Any and all disputes regarding the ownership of the stairs with the Pittsburgh public schools shall be resolved. The Department of Public Works is authorized to proceed with the repairs of the Anthony street steps and, if it is shown that the Pittsburgh Public Schools does in fact have an ownership interest, then the City shall make a claim to the Pittsburgh Public School District for compensation of city funds expended to repair any portion of the steps deemed to be under the jurisdiction of the school district.