There is a vacant lot (actually 3 consecutive properties) close to my house which I convinced a bunch of the neighborhood kids to clean up. It was pretty amazing actually, the kids are mostly in elementary school and really worked hard to clean out the trash. I promised them I would build a swing if they cleared it out thinking they would clean for 15 mins and lose interest. Now I have to make good on my promise. I looked into purchasing the lots or getting it into one of the programs designed for that type of thing. Unfortunately the lots are still owned by missing owners and apparently up for tax sale some time in 2006/2007. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on:

(A) Am I opening myself up for a lawsuit by building a swing on the lot (ouch I skinned my knee I'm taking you to court for a million dollars).

(B) Who is responsible for maintaining these properties? 2 of the lots are owned by a company that, according to the beurou of corporations in harrisburg went out of business in 1975 and one is owned by someone who bought it in the 50's. The neighbors have made numerous calls and apparently we've been on the list for a cleanout for a few years now, but the tires, trash, glass and weeds kept getting higher and no cleanout was ever performed.

if you are going to do it, you shoudl set up a non-profit company with limited liability. the company hsoudl purchase the lands a la liberty lands park.

__________________
"You down wit OPM?"
Fumo: "Yeah, you know me!"

Thats all well and good, except I can't purchase the land. The owners are missing and apparently there is no way to gain ownership of them other than purchasing from the owners or waiting till next year for the tax sale.

Strange Tanks

By virtue of living you are opening yourself up to a lawsuit. By encouraging the kids to clean up the lots, you opened yourself up to a lawsuit. It's up to you whether you want to keep your word to the kids. I would, but I'm not a lawyer giving you legal advice. Nor am I one of those (IMNSHO) sleazy lawyers who show up on TV and yell what amounts to, "Why the heck haven't you sued somebody yet? You ought to be able to sue somebody about something!"

If you haven't already, talk to New Kensington CDC about help with acquiring the lots. (Assuming you're in their serving area. If not, maybe try your local CDC.)

__________________
http://fishtown.us - Live in, work in, or care about Fishtown? Then visit fishtown.us!
http://summerfield.org - Summerfield's Website

whats a CDC? I have talked to the kensington action now organization. They were not able to help. I've also been warned away from paying the tax lein company for the taxes in exchange for the property. Looks like I might just have to build this thing and hope for the best.

Paul

NKCDC is New Kensington Community Development Corporation. We are one of some 70 neighborhood non-profits, working with neighbors on economic development, housing, vacant land, real estate, and quality of life issues. More information can be obtained on our website www.nkcdc.org. Our boundaries are Delaware River to El to Lehigh, so if you are in KAN/KARP's service area, you are likely outside ours.

The city has a program for homeowners to obtain adjacent vacant property for a small fee. However, the process takes 5-10 years, and is not guaranteed. Especially now that local real estate has become so valuable, we are witnessing the sale of lots at sheriff sale or through realtors, out from under hopeful long-term caretakers who applied years ago, and made improvements to the land, but hadn't yet obtained title.

Your City Councilperson's office can provide additional information.

Good luck.