The Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County voted unanimously Tuesday night to hire a consultant to explore possible reuses for the 280,000-square-foot UPMC Braddock building that will be left vacant when the hospital departs on Jan. 31.

County Economic Development Director Dennis Davin said the authority has allocated $50,000 for the hire and that the county will hire someone within the next two weeks. Whoever is hired will work in conjunction with a working committee of local elected officials, community members and leaders of local nonprofits to help formulate a few proposals to pitch to UPMC before it closes. Mr. Davin said he hopes UPMC will pitch in financially in converting the building for a different use.

UPMC has offered to give the building to any group that has a viable use for it. The hospital system has also offered to turn it over to the county, but Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato said the county does not want it.

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.