Bill to raze, sell Allentown State Hospital property passes Pennsylvania Senate unanimously

Plans to demolish the Allentown State Hospital and create a competitive bidding process for the sale of the property are moving forward.On a 49-0 vote, the Pennsylvania Senate on Tuesday passed a bill introduced this month by Sen. Pat Browne, R-Lehigh. The bill now goes to the state House, where it has the backing of Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh.Browne’s bill authorizes and directs the state Department of General Services to demolish all buildings and structures on the 195-acre property, except for an air monitoring station.A developer then would be chosen based upon best value and return on investment, which in addition to price may include “the proposed use of the property, job creation, return to the property tax rolls and other criteria specified in the solicitation documents,” the bill states.The bill also would establish a “competitive solicitation committee” to review proposals and recommend a buyer. The committee will consist of Browne, Schlossberg, a representative of the city of Allentown and Secretary of General Services Curt Topper. All four can designate someone else to sit on the committee in their place.The state hospital, which closed in 2010, is in Browne’s and Schlossberg’s districts.Allentown Mayor Ray O’Connell said last week he hasn’t decided who would represent the city on the committee if the bill passes.READ MORE: New plan for Allentown State Hospital: Tear it down first, then find a buyerThe demolition of the buildings and structures on the property would be authorized regardless of local zoning ordinances, land use ordinances, building codes or other city regulations, the bill states. It would also prohibit a seller from using any portion of the property for a casino or other gambling facility.The bill also would terminate exclusive negotiations with TCA Properties LP of Doylestown. A previous bill passed in December 2017 had authorized the Department of General Services to negotiate a sale with TCA Properties at fair market value.The state appraised the property at $2.57 million in 2016. According to Lehigh County records, the property (1600 Hanover Ave.) has an assessed value exceeding $33 million.Morning Call reporter Andrew Wagaman can be reached at 610-820-6764 or awagaman@mcall.com
Source: Morningcall