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DGS seeks committee support to competitively sell five surplus Commonwealth properties
Summary
At a joint House and Senate State Government hearing, the Department of General Services presented a 2026 surplus property disposition plan that would put five Commonwealth sites up for competitive sale, outline demolition and "cold mothballing" options to cut carrying costs, and request legislative oversight and approval under Act 48.
The Department of General Services told a joint House and Senate State Government committee today it is seeking legislative support to competitively market five surplus Commonwealth properties as part of a 2026 real property disposition plan.
Deputy Secretary Califano of the Department of General Services said DGS "is seeking support to competitively bid 5 surplus Commonwealth properties through the approval of this plan," and described a process that includes targeted demolition or a new "cold mothballing" approach intended to reduce taxpayer carrying costs while the department prepares sites for sale.
Why it matters: lawmakers and DGS framed the plan as a step toward reducing maintenance spending on vacant state-owned property and returning assets to productive, tax-paying use. Committee leaders said the plan restores a statutory process that the General Assembly has not exercised in more than a decade and called for transparent, timely review.
Details and sites: Califano said the plan includes five properties at different stages of readiness: Juniata Gap Weekend Training Site (Blair County), SCI Retreat (Luzerne County), Whitehaven Center (Luzerne County), Woodhaven Center (Philadelphia), and Polk Center (Venango County). Appraisals and site conditions vary: DGS cited a 2024 appraisal of $175,000 for Juniata Gap, a negative valuation for SCI Retreat driven by an estimated $20,000,000 in bridge repairs, a $12,000,000 estimate for Whitehaven, and an estimated $36,000,000 valuation for Woodhaven. For Polk, DGS said a land survey and land-use planning process are underway to define the marketable parcel.
Local control and community concerns: DGS repeatedly emphasized that zoning and development decisions are local, and that county or municipal authorities will determine permitted land uses after disposition. Multiple local legislators pressed DGS to allow more time for community engagement on parcels in their districts and to consider demolition or remediation before sale where buildings have negative value or environmental liabilities.
No votes taken: The hearing included sworn testimony, questions and extended discussion, but no formal committee votes or amendments were recorded. Committee chairs said the General Assembly can approve, disapprove or amend the plan through the legislative process.
Next steps: DGS will continue land-use planning, complete appraisals and solicit expressions of interest; the department noted that proceeds from any sales of DHS-owned properties will be used to support services for people with disabilities, per the department's funding rules.
