A blighted property to be razed, two rental units to be part of a statewide program for rehabilitation and a seasoned former city worker hired for an authority.

These were among the updates in the latest Williamsport Redevelopment Authority board meeting.

The RDA is separate from the city government, just as are the Williamsport Parking and River Valley Transit authorities.

Most recently, the RDA, backed by financing available through the American Rescue Plan funds, has been able to engage in an active agenda, looking over properties that can be redeveloped and improved on to help increase the city’s standing from a tax-producing perspective and provide more places for people to live and work.

Over the summer, the RDA eyed one of the worst properties along Park Avenue, an area that continues to undergo neighborhood improvement and blight removal and is home to an urban garden with vegetables grown and harvested and handed out to anyone.

The board was briefed on a condemned property on Park Avenue that is targeted for demolition.

Electricity and gas have been discontinued at 743 Park Ave., which is ready for being razed, according to the authority minutes. The property is directly across from the community vegetable garden.

Acquisition of the property will be negotiated and all liens must be settled. A date has not been set for demolition.

August “Skip” Memmi, the retired city community and economic development director, also provided an update for the RDA board on 2169 Mosser Ave. He also provided photographs. There was a discussion about how to go about selling the property once work there is completed. A current list of blighted properties and potential blighted properties also was provided to board members.

Selina Pulizzi updated the board on a Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund project at 1127 and 1129 E. Third St.

This consists of two units as part of the rental rehabilitation program. Background on the program, the property owners and tenants was provided to the board.

The rent is eligible and considered affordable for the two units discussed. An inspection was completed and there were no code related items found.

The owners have the required funds to commit to the project and the program funds have been secured with a mortgage against the property, Pulizzi noted.