What We Do
The Redevelopment Authority of the City of Lancaster (RACL) was established in 1957 to redevelop and rehabilitate blighted areas and stay the overall deterioration of neighborhoods. It has the power, within areas set by the Lancaster City Planning Commission, to investigate, plan, purchase property, enter contracts for demolition and rebuilding, and provide parks and recreation areas. Present emphasis is on rehabilitation rather than demolition.
RACL accepts bids on condemned properties from qualified rehabilitation professionals for the purpose of remediating their blighted conditions and the provision of productive reuse for various means including commercial space as well as owner-occupied and affordable housing.
Most of RACL’s blighted property removal efforts are supported through the City of Lancaster’s Community Development Block Grant Program.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS – 502-506 W. WALNUT STREET
Technical proposals will be evaluated based on the developer or team’s demonstrated track record and capacity, the detail and realistic nature of their proposed scope of work, their financial readiness, strategy for community engagement, and their provision of community benefits.
Resources
BEFORE & AFTER – RACL BLIGHTED PROPERTY REMEDIATION
Juniata Avenue
In April 2023, the property situated at 156 Juniata Avenue undertook a stunning rehabilitation and was sold to an income-qualified family. This sale aligned with one of RACL’s primary objectives, which is to encourage owner occupancy at 80% or less of the Lancaster County Area Median Income.
South Prince Street
The property located at 547 S. Prince Street underwent complete rehabilitation in June of 2023. As a result, the newly rehabbed home was made available for rent to an income-qualified family of three.
RACL DETAILS
The Redevelopment Authority of the City of Lancaster’s blighted property removal program forges partnerships with local rehabbers to eliminate blight by bringing formerly rundown buildings back into productive reuse.
In accordance with Pennsylvania’s Urban Redevelopment Law (CITE), a property must be declared as blighted by the Lancaster Property Reinvestment Board and then subsequent certified as a “blighted property” through a concurrent resolution of the Lancaster City Planning Commission before it is referred to RACL. Since most blighted properties are afflicted with severe issues, they often require extension rehabilitation to be brought up to the applicable building and property maintenance codes.
RACL holds its monthly regular meetings on the third Tuesday of each month (except for December). Interested buyers of RACL properties must submit a completed purchase offer form. Please review the Documents & Resources tab below for more information.
Language Access: ¡SE HABLA ESPAÑOL! If you require interpretation services for Spanish or another language during a RACL public meeting, please contact us.
For further information, contact Kristine Logue at (717) 723-7954 or [email protected].
