DGS explains status of shuttered White Haven Center

FOSTER TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The Department of General Services has responded to a request for comment from 28/22 News on the future of the White Haven Center in Luzerne County.

According to a written response issued to 28/22 News, property sale preparation work is underway at the center in Foster Township.

28/22 News was told a title search and an environmental assessment have already been completed and a boundary survey will be conducted followed by an appraisal report.

Sale preparation work should be completed for White Haven Center within 18 months.

Carryover costs of the White Haven Center are expected to be $ 8,900,000 for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

You can find the full statement from a Spokesperson with the Department of General Services below.

The Department of General Services (DGS) is currently working with the Department of Human Services to prepare these properties for future sale. The sale preparation process includes survey work, appraisals, and environmental studies. However, in order to convey these properties, DGS would need to convey the properties directly to a redevelopment authority, or the General Assembly would need to pass legislation authorizing a direct conveyance or a sale. At this time, we are still working through this process and no specific buyers have been determined.

These three properties are at various stages of the sale preparation process depending on when they were vacated and deemed surplus properties. DGS and DHS will continue to consider options for each facility that prioritize the best use for the properties and the local communities they serve – and both agencies have been in contact with local legislators during these respective processes.

The Hamburg Center closed on August 3, 2018, and sale preparation work needed to sell the property has been completed. Carryover costs of the Hamburg Center for 2023-24 fiscal year are projected to be $3.9 million.

The Polk Center closed on May 1, 2023. However, some residents still live at the property and are provided residential services by an outside contractor. These residents will transition to community homes owned and operated by the contractor by early 2025. Carryover costs for the Polk Center during the 2023-24 fiscal year are projected to be $15.3 million, including the residential management agreement with the outside contractor. Property sale preparation work will begin at the Polk Center after the remaining residents move to other community homes.

White Haven Center closed on February 24, 2023. Property sale preparation work is underway at White Haven. A title search and an environmental assessment have already been completed. A boundary survey will be conducted followed by an appraisal report. Sale preparation work should be completed for White Haven Center within 18 months. Carryover costs of the White Haven Center are expected to be $8.9 million for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

To sell any property, DGS must conduct the process outlined above, which typically takes at least 18 months. Once legislation authorizing a sale is passed and signed into law typically the properties are put out for competitive bid with a bid period of at least 90 days, followed by the execution of a sales agreement and finally closing. This lengthy but necessary process is due to the procurement rules and statutes that govern Commonwealth property sales.

Department of General Services Spokesperson

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