Despite the fears of advocates of mental health care, a state official says no attempt is being made to take the Mayview State Hospital sale underground.

There is a meeting on the issue in Harrisburg today -- a departure from the public meetings held at the South Fayette Mayview property -- at the request of local legislators.

"We're doing it as a courtesy to them," Department of General Services spokesman Ed Myslewicz said. "Their support is very important."

Mr. Myslewicz said there were no specific plans yet for another official meeting of the Mayview Land Re-Use Task Force, but that he assumed future meetings would be held. "The task force is still out there, and we are updating them," he said.

The state closed Mayview, which cared for mentally ill patients, at the end of 2008. After a series of meetings on reuse, the state put out a request for proposals last year. It got two responses by the Feb. 4 deadline.

The proposal request listed 150 acres of the 330-acre site for sale, with a minimum bid of $125,000. It also specifies that the state is not responsible for the buildings on the property, most of which contain extensive asbestos and which have not been regarded as salvageable.

About one acre of the property is in Upper St. Clair and the remainder is in South Fayette. Because of slopes and wetlands, estimates have set the usable acreage at about 80.

South Fayette is interested in acquiring the western portion -- the former geriatric center -- to extend Fairview Park.

At Monday's commissioners meeting, manager Mike Hoy said he had not seen the proposals, and that he would go to Harrisburg today for the meeting.

Commissioner Deron Gabriel, who also sits on the task force, also had not seen the proposals, but was not sure about making the trip. Mr. Gabriel said he wanted to have the proposals aired at a public meeting at the hospital property.

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.