Public Meeting To Address Norristown State Hospital Developments

NORRISTOWN, PA -- A public meeting next month will address the land planning study for future development at Norristown State Hospital.

The meeting will take place in Municipal Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Gov. Wolf's administration reached an agreement in December 2017 with the municipality to vacate two buildings on the state hospital grounds by 2022, opening the door for the long-discussed possibility of redevelopment.

The announcement came after controversy stewed over the state was forced to begin construction at the state hospital to add more beds following a lawsuit. In a settlement with ACLU in June 2017, the state agreed to create 110 new spots, including 50 at Norristown, after the civil rights organization alleged that individuals with severe mental illness had "languished" for extensive periods of time in jail cells when they should have been receiving care.

DHS previously stated that due to the settlement, the state faces millions in fines if it does not provide the needed space in a timely manner. The Municipality of Norristown was reluctant to comply with the state's demands until the state put together a plan for the future of the hospital, which it now has.

"We appreciate the swift response to our concerns by Governor Wolf and Acting Secretary Miller," Council President Sonya Sanders said in a statement at the time. "Norristown has always been a community that has done its part in housing government agencies; however, we also want to have the opportunity for impactful, collaborate engagement for redevelopment in Norristown that improves the quality of life of our residents. Many thanks to Senator Daylin Leach and Representative Matt Bradford for their support in getting this accomplished."

It's not yet clear what kind of development will come to the portion of the state hospital which the state has agreed to shut down. According to the Department of Human Services, a land planner will conduct a comprehensive study by March 2019 to "determine the best use of the property." That process will include meetings with the public - such as the one next month - and potential developers.

On the state's end, a plan will be put in place by Jan. 2020 to relocate the programs which are in the affected portions of the state hospital.

>>Norristown State Hospital 'Prime Development Property': Council

The hospital grounds cover more than 200 acres.

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