HARRISBURG -- State Sen. John Pippy wants state officials to delay selling the 335-acre Mayview State Hospital property until a task force can suggest potential uses of the prime land in southern Allegheny County.

The Senate's State Government Committee soon is to approve a list of state-owned land and buildings that are no longer needed and will be put up for sale. The full Legislature and the governor also have to sign off on the sales.

Mr. Pippy, R-Moon, asked the committee to remove the state hospital property from the list. The hospital is in his Senate district.

Mr. Pippy chairs the Mayview State Hospital Land Reuse Task Force, made up of "interest groups in the area surrounding the hospital [that will] determine the best future use for the 300-plus acres and buildings that make up the property."

Mr. Pippy said the task force has met three times and is finishing its overview of the property.

Its next step will be to take testimony from individuals and groups on potential future uses of the property.

The Department of Public Welfare is expected to close Mayview by the end of the year. The Department of General Services has placed a ballpark figure of $2 million for the property, but new appraisals will be done. There are about 45 buildings on the land.