Pennsylvania House Bill HB1620

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/17/25
• Refer: 6/17/25

Caption

Authorizing the Department of General Services, with the approval of the Governor, to grant and convey to the Philadelphia Housing Authority certain lands situate in the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County.

Summary

HB1620 authorizes the Pennsylvania Department of General Services, with the Governor’s approval, to convey approximately 1.71 acres of Commonwealth-owned land and buildings at 2100 W. Girard Avenue in Philadelphia to the Philadelphia Housing Authority for $50,000. The property is identified as the former Philadelphia Nursing Home site and is subject to existing easements, lawful third-party interests, and termination of an existing sublease with the City of Philadelphia before transfer. The bill requires the deed to include enforceable restrictions on use. The property may not be used as a licensed gaming facility or similar state-authorized facility, and the Philadelphia Housing Authority must develop the site solely as a senior living facility and mixed-income affordable housing project, with an optional mixed-use component supporting the housing development. The project must be completed within five years of conveyance, unless the Department of General Services extends the deadline for due diligence reasons for up to 10 years total; otherwise, the property may revert to the Commonwealth. The bill also allows the Secretary of General Services to add further covenants or restrictions, requires the grantee to pay incidental costs and fees, and directs sale proceeds to the General Fund if the conveyance occurs. In practical terms, the bill changes state property administration rather than broad regulatory law. It gives the Commonwealth authority to dispose of a specific parcel through a special warranty deed and, if the transfer is not completed within 24 months, permits an alternative competitive bidding disposition under the Administrative Code of 1929 without a property disposition plan. The measure also creates a fee simple subject to a condition subsequent, preserving a state reversionary interest if the property is not developed as required. The general sentiment reflected by the bill’s structure is supportive of redevelopment and affordable housing use of a vacant or underused public asset, with a strong emphasis on public-purpose conditions and safeguards. No committee transcript or vote record was provided, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to indicate broader political division or support levels. The main points of contention built into the bill are the use restrictions and reversion provisions, which tightly control how the Philadelphia Housing Authority may use the site and give the Commonwealth leverage if the project is delayed or repurposed. Another potential issue is the requirement to terminate the existing sublease and the possibility of alternative competitive bidding if the conveyance is not executed within the specified timeframe. These provisions suggest the bill is designed to balance redevelopment flexibility with protection of state interests.

Impact

HB1620 would authorize a one-time transfer of a specific Commonwealth property in Philadelphia from the Department of General Services to the Philadelphia Housing Authority, subject to deed restrictions, reversionary conditions, and termination of an existing sublease. It would affect state property disposition procedures under the Administrative Code of 1929 and direct any sale proceeds to the General Fund. The bill primarily impacts the Commonwealth, the Philadelphia Housing Authority, and any current occupants or holders of easements or recorded interests in the property.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text, the measure appears generally favorable toward affordable housing and senior housing redevelopment, with the Commonwealth retaining strong oversight and protections. Because no committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, there is no direct evidence of opposition or support from legislators, but the detailed conditions suggest an effort to build consensus by ensuring the property serves a public-purpose use and cannot be diverted to other uses.

Contention

The most notable contention points are the strict use limitations, the prohibition on gaming or similar facilities, and the reversion clause if the Philadelphia Housing Authority fails to complete the project on time or uses the property for another purpose. The requirement to terminate the existing sublease and the fallback to competitive bidding if the conveyance is not completed within 24 months could also be points of concern for parties interested in the property’s disposition. These issues primarily involve the Department of General Services, the Philadelphia Housing Authority, and any existing sublessees or adjacent stakeholders.