Upper Darby outlines two-track plan for acquired Delaware County Memorial Hospital

Upper Darby School District administrators told the finance and operations committee they are pursuing a two-track approach to planning for the recently acquired Delaware County Memorial Hospital: a steering committee to develop programming recommendations and a structural-engineering review to determine whether the existing building can be reused or should be demolished.

Marvin Lee, the district’s director of operations, said the district has worked with local and state agencies to meet short-term compliance requirements, deployed contracted firewatch and mobile cameras to secure the site, and inventoried more than $400,000 worth of electrical equipment that can be repurposed in district schools. He said using a firewatch program avoids operating the hospital boiler through winter, estimating about $600,000 in savings compared with the $750,000 estimated cost to fix and operate the boiler for the heating season; Lee described the firewatch approach as a lower-cost, temporary alternative while the district completes the technical review.

Lee said the district issued an RFQ to select architects and engineers for the hospital project, with proposals due the next day. The administration expects to enter into a contract in January 2026 and then pursue two parallel tracks: (1) Dr. McGary and Mr. Rogers will convene a steering committee of administration, school and community members to develop recommended programming if the site is used as a school, and (2) structural engineers will review existing documents, perform field surveys and work with authorities to evaluate demolition versus reuse. Lee estimated the review and permitting process will take at least six months.

Lee emphasized that removing furniture, fixtures, equipment and hazardous materials is required whether the district ultimately demolishes the building or adapts it for education uses. Board members discussed proceeds from asset dispositions and noted some sales and repurposing have offset a portion of the purchase cost, but directors cautioned that demolition and redevelopment will require additional millions of dollars and are unlikely to be fully recouped from asset sales.

Administration invited teachers, students and community members to join future hospital‑planning efforts; the committee took no formal votes on the hospital during the meeting. The RFQ deadline and an upcoming procurement schedule mean the district expects planning activity to accelerate in the coming months.