The Upper Darby School District has put in an offer to buy the closed Delaware County Memorial Hospital from Prospect Holdings, the parent company of Crozer Health, for $600,000.
The school district says they would demolish the hospital and use it a swing-space for its renovation projects.
The solicitor of the Upper Darby School District provided a statement to NBC10 on the proposal, that said, in part, “(It) is part of the District’s long-term facilities improvement plan to address the evolving needs of the District’s students and school community.”
“The District understands that the closure of the hospital has caused disappointment and concern in the community, and the District has consistently stated it fully supported DCMH remaining as a functioning hospital. However, given that there was a filing for the closed hospital property to be abandoned and no real chance that it would ever be a hospital site again, it made strategic sense for the District to pursue this opportunity, especially considering the District’s current and future space needs.”
“In the long term, the District envisions possibly repurposing the property as an extension of the high school campus – such as having it serve as a STEAM building. In the short term, the District plans to demolish the building and stabilize the site—potentially having it serve as swing space to support much-needed renovations across our elementary schools. The District firmly believes this acquisition offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine the property in a way that directly benefits the District students and families for decades to come.”
Delaware County Memorial Hospital was closed alongside Taylor Hospital after Prospect Holdings declared bankruptcy.
Attorneys for Prospect Medical Group Holdings have said the two health hospitals are “under water,” with offers to buy them far below liabilities on the properties.
A judge granted Prospect Holding’s request to “abandon” the two properties if they are unable to reach a deal to sell them by Aug. 13.