Greensburg may use eminent domain to acquire the remaining easements needed to complete a flood control project in the Northmont neighborhood.
City council on Monday introduced a bill that, if approved, would give solicitor Zachary Kansler the authorization to file a declaration of taking at the Westmoreland County courthouse. But Kansler hopes to continue negotiations with the remaining five property owners in an effort to avoid the legal process.
“We’re still communicating with a few of the property owners and hopeful that we can secure those easements without having to use eminent domain, but we’ve had one or two property owners indicate they weren’t willing to execute the easements,” he said. “We didn’t want to have to do this, we’ve tried for the better part of a year to do everything amicably, but at some point you just have to go ahead with it.”
Letters were sent early in 2025 to owners of properties that would be affected by the proposed project. The target is an unnamed stream that runs parallel to Glenview Avenue in Greensburg’s Northmont neighborhood. It flows mostly through backyards and goes underground before connecting to Jacks Run near Lynch Field.
The project will involve the construction of culverts and U-channels along the stream that could take up to two years to complete. The work will be funded through a state grant.
The majority of property owners have already OK’d easement agreements. Council on Monday approved paying $4,000 to Richard and Kathleen Barnard for an easement on 70 Northmont St. That is in addition to $8,000 total approved in past months to two property owners.
Five more easements are needed on properties on New Alexandria Road, Albert Way and Northmont Street, Kansler said. Eminent domain is a last resort.
If council approves the move next month and negotiations with property owners are not successful, Kansler said he will file documents with the prothonotary and recorder of deeds.
Flooding has been happening in that neighborhood for decades. The current status of the easements is the most progress officials have made in years of trying to get the project underway.
Properties where easements were being sought are on Roosevelt Way, New Alexandria Road, Harvey Avenue, Albert Way, Kenneth Street, Kenmore Avenue, Northmont Street and Oakhill Avenue. Some are in Hempfield.