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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Louise Williams Bishop |
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Bishop bill to revitalize abandoned buildings
approved by House Commerce Committee
HARRISBURG, Feb. 5 – The House Commerce Committee has approved legislation introduced by state Rep. Louise Williams Bishop, D-Phila., that would create an Abandoned Business Facilities Fund in the state Department of Community and Economic Development to refurbish dilapidated structures in Pennsylvania.
Bishop said the program is designed to provide funding statewide to refurbish abandoned business structures that are not being properly maintained by their owners.
The legislation (H.B. 813) would also grant the courts the authority to transfer blighted properties to nonprofit organizations or to private owners within the community.
"This legislation addresses a serious problem with blighted buildings that all cities and towns face in Pennsylvania," Bishop said. "Abandoned buildings provide a haven for drug dealers and create a breeding ground for crime. Vacant buildings also reduce tax revenues and depress property values."
Bishop's bill would call for fines of up to $10,000 per day for owners that abandon structures and do not maintain them to standards of health and safety established by the Department of Community and Economic Development.
"It is impossible to revitalize a neighborhood when business owners are free to abandon their properties and move to other neighborhoods," Bishop said. "My bill would give our towns and cities the tools they need to not only fight crime and decay but also spruce up their neighborhoods."
The Philadelphia legislator said she is hopeful that the bill will soon be considered by the full House.
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