Monday, August 13, 2007

Civil War-Era Mental Asylum for Sale, But No One Wants It

Officials are baffled as to why a former state insane asylum has not sold in 15 years, despite

  • being located in central WV,
  • costing $300k per year to heat,
  • filled with asbestos,
  • possibly haunted and
  • used as paintball park by off-duty cops
Never mind the deal killer: Once used by psychiatrists.

As seen in the Washington Post
For a few years after the patients moved to a new hospital, the state kept the heat on. But with 15 miles of pipe and 921 windows, that cost $300,000 a year. Eventually, the state cut back to groundskeeping and security, for a continuing annual cost of about $100,000.

"The biggest thing for me is that the property is not living up to its highest, best use," Hildreth said. "If we could open the doors and put it in the private sector, it could be something."

There have been attempts.

Local residents offered tours and made a little headway, fixing the clock tower, rebuilding the fountain in front of the main entry and cleaning up the mess from someone's paintball battle. But their pockets weren't deep enough, and the tours were halted in 2004 for safety reasons.

Two Tennessee developers hoped to create a hotel and convention center, but they couldn't raise $88 million for renovations.

Weston native Lowell Davis proposed a $300 million hotel and casino and persuaded Lewis County voters to pass a symbolic referendum allowing the casino, but the state rejected his plan.

If location counts, the hospital has appeal: It's two hours south of Pittsburgh and 4 1/2 hours west of Baltimore.

But some potential problems _ including piles of cancer-causing asbestos and other possible environmental hazards _ worry prospective bidders more than the ghosts that reportedly inhabit the dark and dusty hallways.

The buyer will bear those burdens with no financial help from the state. The state says it's not required to disclose the extent of possible contamination, other than to acknowledge hazardous materials "may exist in or on the property."

One developer, David Wamsley of Williamstown, toured the hospital with plans to raise $20 million for a project with commercial and residential elements. Three hours later, he figured he'd need 10 times that amount _ and 10 to 15 years to turn a profit.

Hildreth doubts environmental concerns will deter serious bidders.

What could be a problem is opposition by people like former mayor Jon Tucci, who argues that city officials should have a say on the future of a facility that once generated $90,000 a year in tax revenue.

"There has to be some kind of an anchor, an economic base to replace what this was," Tucci said. "This was the fulcrum of our community for 150 years."

Morgantown contractor Joe Jordan argues that such decisions should be left to the developer.

"If the city of Weston is going to legislate what you're gonna do with it, well hell, they may as well just buy it," he said

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