A smart idea catching on in northern Schuylkill County could pay larger dividends if it spreads to other areas of the county as well.

In that area, some municipalities and school districts are joining forces to create the Schuylkill County Land Bank, which would acquire blighted properties and return them to tax rolls.The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development describes a land bank as a public or community-owned entity established to acquire, manage, maintain and repurpose vacant, abandoned and foreclosed properties.The state House and Senate approved the concept in Pennsylvania in 2012, allowing municipalities to take part. So far, there are seven in the state.The one proposed in northern Schuylkill County would, in theory, help to address a blight issue that's been growing since the decline of King Coal.Among the features of the concept:• Properties owned by the land bank will not be taxed by the county, municipalities or school districts.• Each member municipality must provide a yearly contribution of $1,000 to the land bank. Such annual contributions will not be required from school districts which are members of the land bank.• Member municipalities must maintain the lawns and sidewalks of the properties acquired by the land bank. The school districts won't have that responsibility.• If the land bank is able to return a property to taxable use, the county, municipalities and school districts agree to give the land bank half of the taxes collected on the property for five years.The idea might be a good fit for Tamaqua and Coaldale.The two eastern Schuylkill County towns have their share of blighted properties, although the problem locally isn't nearly as widespread as in the towns of northern Schuylkill County.Still, there are significant trouble spots.In Tamaqua, for example, a fire-ravaged house on South Lehigh Street greets daily visitors who travel to the Tamaqua Area Sports Stadium and school complex.The house's scorched walls stand three stories high and have been part of the landscape since 2011 when a blaze ripped through an entire block.Other damaged buildings on the block were demolished immediately. But the one left standing a monument to devastation is highly visible at one of the most heavily traveled routes in the community.For the past four years, tens of thousands of guests arriving in Tamaqua to attend football and baseball games, concerts, school programs, the Land of Running Water Band Adjudication Festival and countless other activities have been exposed to the frightening image of the burned-out house.That scene belies the spirit of rejuvenation in the community. Even worse, it sends a message that blight is acceptable at some level.In truth, blight isn't acceptable. It's not only unsightly, but a health issue as well.If participation in a Schuylkill County Land Bank would resolve an issue like the one in Tamaqua, or even expedite the path to a solution, then local government would do well to give consideration to the land bank idea.Any school district or municipality interested in learning more about the Schuylkill County Land Bank is urged to call Clyde C. "Champ" Holman, chairman of Northern Schuylkill Council of Governments, at 570-778-1278.By DONALD R. SERFASSdserfass@tnonline.com