Pennsylvania owns a large number of buildings and properties. But many of them are not being used, and some have been sitting empty for years. Even though no one is using these places, taxpayers are still paying for things like heating, water, and security. All of that adds up to millions of dollars each year. Lawmakers are now asking an important question: Why are we paying to keep the lights on in places no one uses?

Ten Years, $162 Million Wasted

At a recent Senate hearing, Senator David Argall (R-Schuylkill) said that many of these state-owned buildings have been left empty for far too long. He pointed out that just two of them—the Harrisburg State Hospital and the Hamburg Center—have cost about $162 million to maintain over the past ten years. “It’s really embarrassing,” Argall said in an interview. “We spend millions protecting and maintaining buildings, and then we end up tearing them down.” He called it a huge waste of taxpayer money and said the state needs to do better.

Slow Process and Too Much Red Tape

The Department of General Services (DGS) is the agency responsible for handling state properties. DGS officials explained that there’s a long list of steps they have to follow before they can sell or repurpose an unused building. These steps include land surveys, environmental reports, property appraisals, and approvals from lawmakers and other agencies. Catherine Califano, a deputy secretary at DGS, said that the process takes a long time because of all the rules and paperwork. She admitted that state departments don’t always work together well and said they’re trying to fix that.

Local Leaders Want to Reuse the Space

Some local leaders and business owners say the state is missing out on big opportunities. For example, Linda Miller, who runs the White Haven Chamber of Commerce, said the now-empty White Haven Center could be turned into small apartments or an assisted living home. She even mentioned that the building has a swimming pool and suggested turning part of it into a theater. She believes the community could really benefit if these properties were sold and used for something helpful, instead of just sitting there empty.

State Promises Change, Lawmakers Remain Skeptical

The Department of General Services says it’s now making it a priority to get rid of several unused buildings by the end of this year. They also say they want to be more open and transparent about what’s happening. But some lawmakers don’t think the agency is moving fast enough. Senator Chris Gebhard (R-Lebanon/Berks/Lancaster) said the answers from DGS are often unclear and not very helpful. “It’s frustrating,” he said. He wants to see faster results and better communication. DGS promises to do better, but lawmakers are still waiting to see real progress.