Land Bank begins property demolition in Tioga County

The Tioga County Property Development Corporation (TCPDC), a New York State land bank that has been established as a nonprofit 501C3 organization as of January 2017, announced the acquisition and demolition of residential properties in Tioga County. This organization was set up with the purpose of addressing Tioga County’s inventory of distressed, vacant, abandoned, underutilized and tax – foreclosed properties. 

Twelve problem properties in the Villages of Waverly and Owego have been identified and acquisition made possible by the Tioga County Legislature. An application to the State Attorney General’s Community Revitalization Initiative (CRI) fund through Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. was submitted and $500,000 was awarded. This funding will start the work in elimination of slums and blight by demolition of six properties in Waverly and three properties in Owego, efforts that began on July 23. 

The first demolition at 117 Liberty St., Owego occurred on July 23. The next demolition at 115-117 Chestnut St., Owego was to be completed on July 25, with demolition of 39-41 Temple St., Owego scheduled for demolition on July 29. 

The demolitions in Waverly include 108 Park St., 112 Park St., 452 Cayuta Ave., 530 Chemung St., 127 Providence St. and 457 Fulton St. The demolition of these properties will begin on Aug. 8. 

CRI funding is a source dedicated to Land Bank use and can be leveraged for numerous activities. The remaining three properties in Waverly are targeted for rehabilitation over the next six months. 

TCPDC is taking those essential first steps toward achieving healthier, more vital, and safer neighborhoods for all. Many other benefits occur because of these revitalization efforts, Martha Sauerbrey, TCPDC Chair and Tioga County Legislative Chair shared, stating, “This program will encourage economic growth instead of allowing deterioration. It will help address the safety and health of our residents while stabilizing and transforming our neighborhoods.” 

Land banking began in New York following the passage of the New York Land Bank Act in 2011, which authorized the creation of land banks as a tool to address the impacts of property vacancy, abandonment, and foreclosure across the state.