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Williamsport City Council approved the appointment of Jade Walton to the Redevelopment Authority for a five-year term.
Walton replaces former mayor Phil Preziosi.
Mayor Derek Slaughter has offered his appreciation to Preziosi for his many years of service to the city in that capacity and in others.
The RDA handles issues when matters work their way through the blighted property review board, Slaughter said.
Matters can end up in the hands of the RDA, which can acquire, rehab or sell these properties. The RDA also serves as the city land bank, giving it that power.
"It gives them an opportunity to look at properties that are headed to tax sale and get them back into the hands of a developer to bring it up to code or get it sold for owner-occupied purposes, Slaughter said. "We have acquired properties that are dilapidated or blighted," he said.
Councilman Jon Mackey noted how the land bank has been funded by over $1 million through the American Rescue Plan, giving it some "teeth."
The city officials voted to look at residential, commercial and industrial properties.
"We have more enforcement, more teeth, to ensure everyone is held by the same standards," Slaughter said.
Walton spoke briefly about her experience in redevelopment. She has a marketing background with Larson Design Group, and also has an accounting background.
Walton has done work in regional planning.