Bristol Twp. Officials Say Blighted Home Program Making Progress

Bristol Township’s program to take on blight is seeing some results, according to officials.

Since the township stepped up their fight against blighted properties in 2015 and began working with the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority (RDA) to condemn properties in 2016, the amount of vacant homes in Bristol Township has decreased and several homes have been demolished or renovated.

Randee Elton, who is handling the blighted homes project, said last week that Bristol Township has gone from 204 vacant homes in November 2015 to 77 as of this year. The efforts have led to some homes being repaired by the owners, sold for renovation, auctioned by sheriff sale or demolished.

“I think the word is out there: If you don’t fix up your house or property, the township will force you to,” Elton said.

Many of the blighted properties are owned by estates, property owners who have abandoned their responsibility or banks who have foreclosed. The township, according Elton, often doesn’t hear back after contacting the listed property owners before handing the process over to the RDA.

Township Manager Bill McCauley said the RDA is needed to condemn the blighted properties.

This week, the RDA is set to vote on condemning 18 Crosswood Lane, 5632 Mitchell Road, 23 Overbrook Drive, 198 Plumbridge Drive and 34 Vista Road. Elton said the township cuts the grass on some of the properties. Images shown during last week’s Council meeting showed some of the homes are in disrepair and with boarded up windows.

At the Council meeting, the governing body approved resolutions that blighted 46 Begonia Lane, 601 Bath Road, 1429 Colonial Avenue, 23 Gamewood Road, 7207 Marion Avenue, 1920 Prospect Avenue, 5517 Schumacher Drive, 516 Western Avenue and 816 Winder Drive.

In addition, the former Rapid Circuits facility at 6401 McPherson Avenue was listed as blighted. The property is located near several homes. Neighbors have complained about the property and also said running trucks have parked at the facility overnight, according to RDA President Bob White. He added that the company had left the property after running into money troubles.

The township is paying the costs of the blighted properties program and using those fund made back to pay for the blight program going forward, McCauley said.