The state Department of General Services has received "multiple" proposals for use of the Mayview State Hospital property, and the process of evaluating those proposals is under way.

Beyond that, information about the redevelopment process is either closely guarded or not yet known.

Department spokesman Ed Myslewicz said no timeline has been set for selecting one of the proposals, which were received Feb. 4. He said the department will work with state Sen. John Pippy, R-Moon, and state Rep. Nick Kotik, D-Robinson, but beyond that had not set up a review process.

South Fayette manager Mike Hoy said that he had not gotten an update from the department but is assuming the township will be in on the review process.

"Ultimately, we will have to approve anything that is done there," he said. The site is in South Fayette and any development will need to adhere to township ordinances.

Mr. Hoy said the two-year process of finding a use for the land "has been fairly open so far," and he trusts that the township will get to see the proposals.

In 2008, the state closed Mayview, which cared for mentally ill people. The total property is more than 300 acres, but it includes sloped areas and wetlands that cannot be developed.

The state advertised that it is selling 150 acres and listed a minimum price of $125,000. The request also said the state will not be responsible for demolishing the existing buildings or dealing with hazardous materials in them. Asbestos in the building materials is a major concern.

The closing and sale generated a high level of interest among advocates for mental health care, who want the highest possible price with the money devoted toward caring for the people Mayview once served.

The future of the former hospital also has been of intense interest to South Fayette commissioners, who would like to add part of the property to expand Fairview Park and who want to be sure the rest is developed in harmony with their overall vision for their growing community.

Early last year, the commissioners rezoned the property from residential to a zoning to accommodate business parks. They then spent several months developing a new zoning definition aimed at recreational or other low-impact uses on environmentally sensitive property.

But the Department of General Services threatened to sue the township if it applied the new zoning to the Mayview property, and the commissioners held off. At the time, Mr. Hoy said they would wait to see the proposals before deciding on any action.

He is trusting that they will be able to do that.

"I hope it's a joint effort," he said. "Up to this point it really has been."

Mr. Myslewicz declined to say how many proposals have been submitted, noting that the information could hamper the process of negotiating with potential developers.

"Our mission is to get the best price for the taxpayers," he said.

South Fayette Commissioner Deron Gabriel, who along with Mr. Hoy is on the Mayview Land Reuse Task Force, said Monday that he'd heard the number of bidders was two.

The state's proposal guidelines are not specific about the type of development it would prefer on the property. Those making proposals were required to outline their plans.

"The department will consider proposed uses that are consistent with the nature of the surrounding neighborhood," according to the guidelines.

The guidelines also say that the department will choose the proposal that is "in the best interests of the Commonwealth" and that while price will be a major factor, the department "will also take into account the proposed use of the property."

"We always try to be sure that the proposals balance the needs of the community with the need for the Commonwealth to close the property," Mr. Myslewicz said.

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