Mission StatementThe Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority’s mission is to work with Luzerne County and its municipalities to assist in improving the quality of life and property for residents through eminent domain, the administration of grant programs, tax abatement programs, delinquent tax buyback programs, and the acquisition of the short.line railroad that serves Luzerne County, and a portion of Lackawanna County.
The Redevelopment Authority was established as an independent governmental agency under the Pennsylvania Urban Redevelopment Law by the Luzerne County Commissioners in 1962. Its purposes are to reduce blight, promote community viability, and further economic opportunities in the County. Since its inception, the Authority has participated in numerous programs and initiatives to meet those objectives. It has undertaken or managed federal and state-financed urban renewal, housing, and infrastructure projects in the County. In response to natural disasters, most notably Hurricane Agnes in 1972 and more recently, Hurricane Lee in 2011, the Authority played a key role in administering government-funded programs for disaster relief and rebuilding efforts. It has encouraged economic growth through participation in local tax incentive programs to promote new residential and commercial development. As a result of acquisition of the short line railroad, the former Pocono Northeast Railroad,, key businesses and jobs have been retained and expanded.
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Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority
Margaret Thomas: Executive Director
https://www.openrecords.pa.gov/Documents/RTKL/RTKRequestForm.pdf
PROCEDURE FOR LAND PURCHASE FROM AUTHORITY - REVISED SEPT. 20, 2016
The following procedure shall be utilized by the Redevelopment Authority of Luzerne County when selling Authority owned properties:
Sale of property owned by the LCRA will be facilitated by an orderly sequence of steps initiated with a formal letter to the Authority from the prospective buyer identifying the property and its potential use.
The Board of Directors of the LCRA will consider all such requests in a timely manner. Should the Board of Directors determine by majority vote that a prospective sale would be in the best interest of the citizens of Luzerne County, it will require that the prospective buyer provide the Authority with a metes and bounds description and survey map from a licensed surveyor. Costs incurred for securing this information will be the responsibility of the prospective buyer.
After receiving and reviewing the metes and bounds description and survey map, the Authority will obtain an appraisal of the property's value from a licensed appraiser. Costs incurred by the Authority in securing the appraisal will be included in the final sale price of the property..
An agreement of sale outlining price of property, appraisal cost, Authority's legal fees, and administrative costs (usually 10% of property price) will be prepared.
If necessary, sub-division documents shall be prepared by the surveyor and submitted to the Redevelopment Authority for execution. These documents will be returned to the purchaser of the property and should be filed with the appropriate Borough/Township or County entity.
If all parties are in agreement, a release of mortgage will be requested from the County and a closing will be held at the office of the Solicitor of the LCRA. All closing costs will be the responsibility of the buyer.
At their discretion, the Board of Directors may elect to publicly advertise a prospective sale for a period of 30 days, during which time, bids of at least 110% of the appraised value will be accepted. If more than one bid is received, an auction will be held. 10% bid bond or certified check will be required of all bidders. In the event that only one acceptable bid is received, that bidder will effectively be awarded the right to purchase the property. In the event of an auction, the right to purchase property will go to the highest bidder.
- Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority has unimproved, rail-served sites at its Ashley Rail Yards and Avoca Rail Yards available for development. . Other non-strategic land also may be available for lease or sale. Those interested in learning more about development opportunities or land acquisition, contact Margie Thomas, Admin.Assistant/Program Manager at Margie.Thomas@lcredauth.org.