Fighting blight one property at a time
From the Allegany County Land Bank,
Wellsville, NY — The Allegany County Land Bank Corporation today announced the completion of the demolition of a long-vacant and blighted structure at 63 Seneca Street in the Village of Wellsville, removing a significant safety hazard and advancing ongoing neighborhood revitalization efforts.
The deteriorated property had posed persistent safety concerns for residents and contributed to declining conditions on the surrounding block. With support from New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) through the Land Bank Initiative, the site has been fully cleared and graded, preparing it for future redevelopment.
Statewide, Land Bank Initiative funding has supported the creation or preservation of nearly 300 homes and enabled the demolition of almost 200 blighted structures.
Ruth Anne Visnauskas said, “Kathy Hochul has been a tremendous champion of New York’s land banks, providing more than $160 million to support efforts that eliminate blight and deliver safe, stable, and affordable housing for residents. We thank the Allegany County Land Bank for its continued partnership in strengthening communities and expanding homeownership opportunities in Wellsville.”
Executive Director Jason Isaman said, “The removal of this property marks an important step in improving neighborhood conditions and creating new opportunities for reinvestment. We appreciate the continued support from New York State in helping us advance this work.”
The Land Bank plans to redevelop the site with a newly constructed, ADA-accessible home affordable to households earning between 80 and 120 percent of Area Median Income. The project is expected to utilize approximately $250,000 in additional Land Bank Initiative funding and will help address local housing needs while returning the property to productive use.
This project reflects the Land Bank’s broader efforts to support neighborhood stabilization and redevelopment across Allegany County, including ongoing work in the Village of Friendship and other communities.
About the Allegany County Land Bank Corporation
The Allegany County Land Bank Corporation works to return vacant, abandoned, and tax-delinquent properties to productive use, promoting safe, stable, and attainable housing throughout Allegany County.
