Former Eastern Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute Property in Philadelphia Now Up for Public Bid

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 26, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- State General Services Secretary Sheri Phillips today announced the former Eastern Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute property located in Philadelphia is now up for public bid.

"We are excited to announce the sale of the Eastern Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute property," Phillips said. "Its location and condition present a prime opportunity for this land to be developed and not only be returned to the local tax roles, but serve as an improvement to the surrounding communities as well."

The Eastern Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute property located at 3200 Henry Ave., consists of nearly 14 acres of land and several large multi-story buildings. Situated in the East Falls Section of Philadelphia – only minutes away from Center City – the property presents some very attractive land development opportunities as it is conveniently located near Roosevelt Boulevard and the Schuylkill Expressway with good access to SEPTA bus and rail service.   

The Eastern Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute property was originally authorized by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1949. It continued to operate as part of the commonwealth's State Hospital System until 1981, when the Department of Public Welfare turned over operations of the facility to the Medical College of Pennsylvania. The Medical College continued to operate the property as a psychiatric facility until 2006. 

Beginning in 2008, the property was leased to the City of Philadelphia to house its Youth Study Center until the completion of the city's new Youth Study Center in early 2013. The property is currently vacant, in good condition and ready for sale by the state.

The sale of this land is part of the Corbett Administration's aggressive approach to selling surplus property to generate revenue for the state, Phillips said. Since the beginning of the Corbett Administration, the Department has sold 38 surplus properties generating nearly $31.2 million from the sale of those properties.

The Invitation to Bid for the Eastern Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute property can be found online at www.emarketplace.state.pa.us by selecting "Solicitations" and typing "EPPI" in the "Solicitation Title or Description" box or by calling the Bureau of Real Estate at 717-772-8842.

This property was previously approved for sale as part of the 2005 State Property Disposition Plan. Per guidelines for the sale of properties through the plan, it is being sold through the competitive sealed bid process.

Bids are due to the Department of General Services by close of business on October 23, 2013.

Media contact: Troy Thompson, 717-787-3197

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of General Services