SCI Pittsburgh-3001 Beaver Ave RFI

The Pennsylvania Department of General Services is seeking developer interest through a Request for Information on the potential sale and redevelopment of State Correctional Institution Pittsburgh, a 21.691-acre Commonwealth-owned property at 3001 Beaver Avenue in Pittsburgh, with RFI responses due September 1, 2026 and a mandatory property tour on August 3 at 11:00 a.m.

The property comprises 42 structures totaling over 550,000 square feet and has been vacant since permanent closure in 2017. It is zoned Riverfront-General Industrial (RIV-GI) and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Environmental due diligence identified groundwater VOC contamination requiring institutional controls and vapor mitigation, and significant hazardous building materials (asbestos, lead paint, mold) requiring abatement. A 2023 feasibility study estimates demolition and site preparation costs at approximately $36.4 million ($32.5 million for base demolition and hazardous-materials abatement, plus $3.9 million for floodplain mitigation). The Commonwealth's appraisal values the property at $3 million under a hypothetical shovel-ready condition with full demolition and environmental remediation completed prior to conveyance; however, the Commonwealth explicitly seeks redevelopment without requiring Commonwealth-funded site demolition and intends to transfer the property as-is without demolition contingencies.

Respondents must submit proposals not exceeding ten pages addressing organizational credentials, redevelopment concepts, pro forma financial feasibility analyses for the property in its current as-is condition, financial capacity and experience, and non-binding valuation considerations. RSVP for the property tour is due July 24 to Andrew Lick at alick@pa.gov. This RFI is for planning and information-gathering purposes only and does not constitute a formal solicitation or guarantee of future contract award. The Commonwealth intends to pursue disposition through Act 24 of 2022 competitive bidding authority, alternative new legislation, or conveyance to a redevelopment authority; future formal solicitation mechanisms will be determined based on RFI responses.