Northwest PA News

The Senate Majority Policy Committee convened its inaugural hearing of the 2025-2026 legislative session in Hamburg, Pennsylvania, to address the future of closed and vacant Commonwealth properties. The discussion focused on facilities like the Polk State Center, which previously served vulnerable populations but have since been shuttered by previous administrations.

These properties—Polk, Hamburg, and White Haven—remain unused while incurring significant maintenance costs funded by taxpayers. Susan Williams, President and CEO of the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, attended the hearing to represent the business community's viewpoint. She expressed support for repurposing the Polk State Center property to alleviate taxpayer burdens.

“Polk Center is a significant property in Venango. I am here today to offer the support of the business community as we look toward a better future for our county. We would love to see the property maintained under private ownership and used for the good of our citizens,” she stated.

To date, more than $47 million has been spent on maintaining these centers. The Hamburg Center alone has cost approximately $3.9 million annually since its closure in 2018, totaling $23 million. Meanwhile, White Haven and Polk centers have incurred annual maintenance costs estimated at $8.9 million and $15.3 million respectively since their closures in 2023. Future expenses are expected to exceed $28 million per year without apparent marketing efforts from the Department of General Services (DGS).

“The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services made plans to close these facilities—some of them decades ago—but has completely failed to come up with any plan for the future of the properties,” Hutchinson remarked. “It’s time for them to stop wasting taxpayer dollars and finally put these lands to use in a way that benefits the public.”

The full hearing video and written testimonies are available on the Senate Majority Policy Committee’s website.