The future of the Mayview State Hospital property should become clearer when the Legislature gets the state budget approved.

Greg Mahon, an aide to state Sen. John Pippy, R-Moon, said the task force studying the property is expecting an appraisal and a survey "imminently" but will have to wait for its co-chairmen -- Mr. Pippy and state Rep. Nick Kotik, D-Robinson -- to get out of Harrisburg to schedule a meeting.

That's not happening right now, with the Legislature and Gov. Ed Rendell struggling to put together a budget.

"It's tough with the senator and the representative spending full weeks in Harrisburg," Mr. Mahon said.

The South Fayette hospital, which cared for mentally ill people, closed at the end of 2008. The task force started meeting about a year ago, holding hearings to determine the best future use of the property.

The issue has been somewhat controversial, with advocates for mental health care calling for a high price with the money going to mental health agencies.

South Fayette officials, however, have questioned the property's worth, noting the steep slopes, wetlands, lack of access and asbestos in the buildings.

The task force in April announced that it would release a draft recommendation before a scheduled May 7 meeting, then canceled the meeting and delayed the release.

Sen. Pippy said at the time that the task force wanted to get the appraisal before releasing its findings.

Mr. Mahon said the appraisal is still key, along with a survey determining the property's actual boundaries.

It fronts Chartiers Creek in eastern South Fayette and has been reported at anywhere from 300 to 330 acres. Township officials have said the natural impediments limit the usable land to about 80 acres, however.

The township commissioners recently created a commercial/recreational zoning designation with the Mayview property in mind, which would allow low-density residential uses along with use as a park, resort, golf course or something similar.

The appraisal, however, will look at the property's "highest" use, the one that would make it the most valuable regardless of zoning. Mr. Mahon said that along with public interest, the task force is also under pressure from the state Department of Public Welfare.

"DPW is responsible for maintenance and security for the property and has told us that it's very expensive," he said.

He also noted that John Paul Jones, who represented the state Department of General Services, will stay on the task force despite his recent move to the governor's Western Pennsylvania office.

"He's very knowledgeable about the situation, and DGS was comfortable with him representing them," Mr. Mahon said.