WHITE HAVEN, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Lawmakers are demanding action on a vacant state-owned property in northeastern Pennsylvania. The facility shut its doors nearly two years ago.
In 2019, the state announced the closure of the White Haven Center, a facility that housed individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The closure came from the Wolf administration's plan to reduce reliance on institutional care.
When the closure was announced, the center served 112 people and employed more than 400.
Despite years of community protest, the center shut its doors in early 2023.
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"Families depended on that center, people depended on that center. There were some good jobs there. People liked going to work there. And so the sooner that we can get something positive happening at white haven and in the other spots, I think the better for all of us," said State Senator Dave Argall.
Senator Argall has introduced a bill demanding action from the state on the White Haven Center and several other vacant state properties.
"Essentially my bill would demand that the Department of General Services come up with a concrete plan so that they can then turn these buildings over to someone else," Senator Argall continued.
That bill is still in the early legislative stages.
One small business owner and longtime resident we spoke with says she hopes the center can be put to good use.
"I would like to see it be a personal care facility for veterans. There are a lot of veterans out there that have no place to go and that would be a great place for it," said business owner and White Haven resident Michele Yohey.
The buildings are still being maintained; costing around $8.9 million annually, keeping taxpayers on the hook.
The large property is empty of all operations.
"I mean it's sitting there dormant the facility is beautiful. There's so many options out there and it could employ a lot of people in White Haven who had previously lost their jobs or moved on when it closed down," Yohey added.
28/22 News reached out to the Department of General Services which helps oversee the White Haven Center and released the following statement:
The Department of General Services (DGS) is working with the Department of Human Services (DHS) to prepare the White Haven Center for sale. The preparation process includes surveys, appraisals, and environmental studies, which typically take at least 18 months to complete. Currently, DGS is seeking proposals for a boundary survey at White Haven, which will be followed by an appraisal report. The sale preparation is expected to conclude by the end of 2025, at which point the General Assembly can pass legislation to authorize the sale. Properties are usually sold through a competitive bidding process that includes a minimum 90-day bid period, followed by the execution of a sales agreement, and closing. The timeline for this process is determined by statutes governing the sale of Commonwealth properties. Interested parties with the capacity to develop the property can reach out to DGS for more information on the Department’s website. The website offers FAQs and information on the surplus property sales process.
Department of General Services
