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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State Rep.
Nick Kotik |
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State hospital land reuse task force to hold first meeting
CORAOPOLIS, Feb. 20 – A task force created to examine the reuse of Mayview State Hospital in South Fayette Township will hold its first meeting at the site on Thursday.
Chaired by state Rep. Nick Kotik, D-Allegheny, and state Sen. John Pippy, R-Allegheny\Washington, the panel will hold a public meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 in the Regional Conference Room of the hospital’s Dietary Building.
The Department of Public Welfare is targeting the end of this year for closure of the hospital. The sole purpose of the task force is to address the issue of how to best reuse the facility once the hospital is closed.
“We’re going to bring together representatives of local communities, the county and the state, as well as the general public to identify options for reusing the facility and the grounds,” Pippy said. “DPW has utilized similar groups in the past and has found the use of local stakeholders to be extremely beneficial to the discussions on the reuse of the facility.”
It’s anticipated that the task force will meet monthly up to and potentially beyond the end of this year. According to DPW, no other state agency is interested in the property and there is no known private interest in the property.
“I look forward to having an open discussion from everyone as to a compromise plan for this facility,” Kotik said. “It will take numerous meetings like this one to gather ideas, feedback and possible solutions. It is the best way to make sure we hear from all possible angles on the issue and reach the best decision for all involved.”
Other task force members include:
Ford Thompson – Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
Joe Brimmier, Jr. – Pennsylvania Department of General Services
Rich Kuppelweiser – chief operating officer, Mayview State Hospital
Deron Gabriel – commissioner, South Fayette Township
Mike Hoy – manager, South Fayette Township
Mark Mansfield – acting manager, Upper St. Clair Township
Emerald Van Buskirk – executive director, South West Communities Chamber of Commerce
Chris Goswick – Planning Division, Allegheny County Economic Development
Roy Kraynyk – executive director, Allegheny Land Trust
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