11 Pa.C.S. Ch. 136

in effect

11 Pa.C.S. § 13601 Public buildings generally.

(a) Authority of city.--With regard to a public building, a city may, by ordinance, do any of the following: (1) erect, purchase, establish or maintain the public buildings; or (2) purchase, take, use, occupy or acquire, by any lawful means, including eminent domain, private land, buildings and property in order to erect, establish or maintain a public building. (b) Included structures.--For purposes of this chapter, a public building includes not only a building or structure that council deems necessary for the use of the city, but also another building and structure to be used for a public purpose, including a public auditorium, public library, public memorial building and monument.

11 Pa.C.S. § 13603 Payment of erection and maintenance costs.

A city may: (1) Appropriate money and incur debt in accordance with 53 Pa.C.S. Pt. VII Subpt. B (relating to indebtedness and borrowing) for the purchase or acquisition of private land, buildings and property through eminent domain in order to erect or establish a public building. (2) Appropriate money for the operation and maintenance of a public building.

11 Pa.C.S. § 13605 Donation of land by city for library purposes and contributions toward maintenance.

In addition to the power to make an appropriation, donation or gift for a library purpose in accordance with 24 Pa.C.S. Ch. 93 (relating to public library code), a city may acquire and donate land for library purposes to a local library as defined in 24 Pa.C.S. § 9302 (relating to definitions).

11 Pa.C.S. § 13606 Rental of public auditorium and disposition of proceeds.

In the case of a public auditorium, a city may, by order of council, charge a rental fee for the use of the public auditorium. The money derived from the rental of the public auditorium shall be paid into the city general fund.

11 Pa.C.S. § 13607 Long-term improvement lease.

(a) Authority of city.--A city may lease city real estate on a long-term improvement lease, at a nominal rental fee or otherwise, to a nonprofit corporation for the purpose of providing an auditorium for a dramatic, musical, artistic, literary, scientific or patriotic society or event or for another purpose as may be approved by council. (b) Term.--A long-term improvement lease: (1) May not be for a term of more than 99 years. (2) May provide for a right of renewal for a like term. (3) Shall contain provisions for the improvement of the real estate by the lessee by the erection of a suitable building of dignified and appropriate architecture. The absolute ownership of the building shall revert to the city, free of claim or charge, at the end of the term of the lease or a renewal of the lease. (c) Use of building.--A building erected under a long-term improvement lease may be used for a public purpose, including as an auditorium for a dramatic, musical, artistic, literary or scientific event and for the accommodation of a patriotic society or group or other accommodation and feature, as may be approved by the city. (d) Title and local taxation.--The title to property subject to a long-term improvement lease shall remain with the city. For purposes of local taxation, the property subject to a long-term improvement lease and the leasehold estate created by the lease shall be deemed to be devoted to a public purpose and public use. (e) Lessee.--The lessee under a long-term improvement lease shall be exclusively liable for the maintenance and upkeep of the demised premises and shall be solely responsible for the maintenance and operation of the demised premises. (f) Lessor.--A long-term improvement lease may provide that the lessor is entitled to receive a sum equal to the net income of the demised premises after reasonable reserves and proper amortization charges.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=11Fetched: 10/16/2026