Lycoming News

Due to concerns about decades of bureaucratic inactivity and the waste of millions of taxpayer dollars at the White Haven Center and other closed, former state hospitals, the Senate State Government Committee advanced legislation introduced by Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) by a vote of 10-1.

“This governor, the last governor, and their appointed cabinet officers in the Departments of Human Services and General Services should all be embarrassed by their continuing delays,” said Argall. “To call this a waste of taxpayer dollars is an understatement – this is a bureaucratic nightmare of epic proportions for 14 years. It needs to stop now.”

The White Haven Center was shut down in 2023 by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services without community or legislative input. Since then, it has sat unused and empty, leaving taxpayers on the hook for millions every year to maintain its empty buildings. According to the Pennsylvania Department of General Services, carryover costs for the 2023-24 fiscal year were almost $9 million.

Argall introduced Senate Bill 1277 with Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-21) and Sen. Chris Gebhard (R-48) to demand a detailed plan from the Pennsylvania Department of General Services on how it will repurpose the White Haven Center, the Hamburg Center, which was shut down in 2018, and the Polk Center, which was closed in 2023.

“Spending tens of millions of taxpayer dollars each year maintaining these three properties with their future uncertain is completely irresponsible,” said Argall. “They should be returned to the tax rolls and providing jobs for local people as soon as humanly possible, without unending bureaucratic delays.”

Argall highlighted the example of the former Allentown State Hospital as a worst-case scenario if action is not taken. Closed in 2010, the state spent approximately $2.2 million each year for ten years for upkeep and security until ultimately razing it in 2020 for an additional $12.7 million – a total of about $34.7 million. Through inaction, the state nearly tripled the amount of taxpayer dollars wasted.

Under the bill, the department must also provide legislature with yearly costs of each property since they were closed, expected costs if they are not sold, and costs relating to demolition or refurbishment.

“I have already met with several people who may be interested in purchasing this valuable property,” Argall continued. “Anyone interested should not hesitate to contact us if you would like to learn more. No one should want to waste another $35 million heating empty buildings, mowing grass, operating utilities year after year after year, then bring in bulldozers. We can’t repeat mistakes like those made with Allentown State Center EVER AGAIN.”

Senate Bill 1277 now advances to full Senate consideration.

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