# Comprehensive Blight Strategy Plan for the City of Altoona

- Summary: Executive Summary and Task Force Composition The City of Altoona assembled a Blight Task Force to develop a comprehensive plan for implementing effective strategies to address blight and promote…
- Source: AltoonaPa.gov
- Published: 
- Captured: 2026-08-10T16:49:35.826Z
- Source URL: https://www.altoonapa.gov/getmedia/37e7ebf5-b928-423f-a9d1-5d87c9e47720/ALTOONA-BLIGHT-STRATEGY-PLAN-3-7-18.pdf
- Content URL: https://hollidaysburg.ebensburg.site/document/comprehensive-blight-strategy-plan-for-the-city-of-altoona/
- Content note: This portable copy is not the official record and may include an automated convenience summary. Verify important details in the original document.

Executive Summary and Task Force Composition The City of Altoona assembled a Blight Task Force to develop a comprehensive plan for implementing effective strategies to address blight and promote community investment. The Task Force includes representatives from City government, residents, businesses, institutions, and nonprofit organizations. Key Members Include: Mayor Matt Pacifico (City of Altoona) Lori Bechtel-Wherry (Penn State Altoona) Rebecca Brown (Codes & Inspections, CoA) Sergio Carmona (Blair County Community Action Agency) Christopher Cook (Local Resident) Mitchell Cooper (Local Resident) Rob Dennis (Codes Officer, CoA) Shawna Hoover (Operation Our Town) Joe Hurd (Chamber of Commerce) Cheryl Johns (Altoona Housing Authority) Mary Johnson (CDBG Manager, CoA) Robert Lynn (ReMax Realtor) Marla Marcinko (City Manager, CoA) Steve McKnight (Altoona Blair County Development Corp. ) Pam Mitchell (Landlord Representative) Jerry Murray (UPMC Altoona) Michelle Peterson (Improved Dwellings for Altoona, Inc. ) Lee Slusser (Director, Community Development, CoA) Priority Strategies Recommended The Blight Task Force reached a consensus on the following priority strategies for implementation: Establish a land bank. Expand home repair and rental rehabilitation assistance. Expand implementation of Act 90 of 2010: This allows the City to revoke permits and lien personal and real estate assets of owners. Encourage criminal charges: The Blair County District Attorney is encouraged to charge repeat code violators with a criminal misdemeanor. Hall of Shame program: Publicize and shame owners who fail to bring their property up to codes. Acquire vacant lots: Acquire lots encumbered by demolition liens through foreclosure and convey them to pre-qualified adjacent owners. Engage with Magisterial District Judges: Specifically regarding incoming judges. Expand financial resources: Pursue state grants for the demolition of properties. Sample Action Plan Details The document outlines a "Sample Action Plan" (Step 5) detailing specific strategies, tasks, and resource requirements. Strategy 1: Property Maintenance Codes Goal: Encourage municipalities to adopt comprehensive property maintenance codes. Lead Organization: Planning Commission. Success Metric: Four communities adopt a property maintenance code within 12 months. Tasks & Resources: Identify municipalities without codes (Due: Jun 30, Cost: None). Reach out to municipalities to gauge interest (Due: Sept 30, Cost: None). Retain a consultant to draft an appropriate ordinance (Due: Dec 31, Cost: $7,500). Strategy 2: Conservatorship Process Goal: Use the conservatorship process to deal with long-time blighted properties. Lead Organization: Redevelopment Authority. Success Metric: Three conservatorship actions filed within 12 months. Tasks & Resources: Identify properties appropriate for conservatorship action (Due: Mar 31, Cost: None). Develop a pool of funds for rehab or demolition (Due: Sept 30, Cost: $100,000). Retain legal services to file conservatorship actions (Due: Sept 30, Cost: $10,000).