Pennsylvania has spent over $160 million on vacant buildings it still owns, prompting scrutiny from state lawmakers and the administration. Senator Dave Argall has been raising concerns about this issue for years, highlighting the millions of taxpayer dollars wasted on buildings left unoccupied for extended periods. The Department of General Services, responsible for maintaining these buildings, has launched a new initiative called SOUP (Space Optimization Utilization Project) to modernize the Commonwealth's real estate portfolio and reduce costs. However, lawmakers like Sen. Argall are pushing for quicker action and a more transparent process for selling these vacant properties.
Pennsylvania has spent over $160 million on vacant buildings still owned by the state. This issue has drawn the attention of the Department of General Services, the Governor 's Office, and lawmakers. State Senator Dave Argall, who has been addressing this problem for years, spoke with CBS 21's Joel D. Smith on Thursday. He highlighted the millions of taxpayer dollars wasted on buildings that remained vacant for years, sometimes exceeding a decade, before eventual demolition.
'For years we mowed the grass, we ran the water, we ran the sewer systems, we provided security and had these facilities staffed, but there was nobody home,' said Sen. Argall. \Recently, Sen. Argall held a hearing focusing on three specific vacant buildings: the Hamburg, White Haven, and Polk centers. He revealed that over $47 million has been spent by the state solely on maintaining these three unoccupied facilities. Sen. Argall stated that sometimes deals were in place to sell these buildings, but they fell through due to insufficient offers. 'But it wasn't enough money, so they refused to sell it. Instead it went empty for a few more years. We would have been better off giving the damn thing away, than arguing about the price,' said Sen. Argall. \The Department of General Services, responsible for maintaining these buildings, issued a statement. It emphasized that Governor Shapiro and his Administration are committed to utilizing taxpayer resources efficiently and effectively. They recently launched the Space Optimization Utilization Project (SOUP), the first comprehensive review of all spaces owned or leased by the Commonwealth. This initiative aims to modernize the Commonwealth's real estate portfolio by reducing leased space and maximizing the use of state-owned facilities. SOUP, developed over two years, focuses on cost reduction, efficiency enhancement, and sustainability through optimal space utilization. DGS will continue collaborating with state agencies to implement these improvements, further streamlining the surplus property process and disposition timeline for available properties. This historic initiative is projected to save the Commonwealth tens of millions of dollars over the next several years. In addition to SOUP, the Department of General Services is actively working to ensure the Commonwealth's real estate footprint aligns with the evolving needs of agencies and their workforce. DGS takes its responsibility to manage state-owned properties efficiently for taxpayers seriously, including the efficient management of properties like the Hamburg and White Haven Centers until they are transferred through legislation. DGS has streamlined the surplus property sales process and introduced tools like an interactive property map to enhance transparency and keep stakeholders informed. The map and a comprehensive list of Commonwealth properties can be found on the Department of General Services website. \ Governor Josh Shapiro, in his budget address, expressed his desire to shut down two facilities: Rockview State Prison and a boot camp in Clearfield County. CBS 21 inquired from Sen. Argall about the acceptable timeframe for selling vacant buildings. He responded, 'I think if they can't do it in a year, something's wrong. I know it shouldn't take 10 years.
PENNSYLVANIA VACANT BUILDINGS TAXPAYERS DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES GOVERNOR STATE SENATE SPACE OPTIMIZATION REAL ESTATE SOUP PROJECT
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