‘Major’ announcement on former Sunbury hospital coming today

SUNBURY — UPMC Susquehanna handed over ownership of the former Sunbury Community Hospital to DRIVE (Driving Real Innovation for a Vibrant Economy) on Thursday afternoon.

The economic development council, which serves Northumberland, Union, Snyder, Montour and Columbia counties, was joined by local and state leaders at the former hospital grounds at 350 N. 11th St., Sunbury, in making the announcement that DRIVE would assume ownership and market the property. No specific plans for the facility were announced although potential buyers were teased.

“We’ve had conversations that are very preliminary, very high level,” said DRIVE Executive Director Jennifer Wakeman. “If I had to guess, based on how the building is, the structure of the building, how it’s laid out, it’s like the Sunbury Textile Mills. I don’t see one thing going in here and being the thing. I see it being a multi-use space. What that looks like, whether it’s a commercial, retail, or residential, I have no idea. That’s what my gut tells me.”

When the former Sunbury Textile Mill closed in August 2020, DRIVE was instrumental in bringing in Fresh Roasted Coffee and Sivana Converting at the 57-acre site along the Walnut Street extension. The owners also donated the facility in December 2020 to DRIVE.

The former Sunbury Community Hospital was purchased by nonprofit UPMC Susquehanna from for-profit Quorum Health on Oct. 6, 2017. UPMC closed the hospital in early 2020, leaving Sunbury without a hospital for the first time in 125 years. The properties on approximately 12 acres are assessed at a total value of $2,399,200 across 20 different parcels in the same area of North 11th Street, according to tax records.

Crowd gathers

A crowd of not only local leaders but also curious residents attended the announcement on Thursday, including Margaret Shelly, of Sunbury. Her mother was a nurse at the hospital and her father was an employee at the textile mill.

“Sunbury Hospital staff saved my life,” said Shelly about a heart attack in 2018. “I volunteered here for 15 years. I just wanted to make sure it went into good hands who are community minded.”

Shelly said she wants to see a medical provider to use the emergency room.

Leaders speak

State Sen. John Gordner, R-27, said he and other elected officials reached out to many businesses and organizations, including Geisinger and Evangelical Community Hospital, about taking over the property, but were unsuccessful in convincing anyone to purchase it.

“It is so important that this gets turned over to a local entity that has the community interest in mind,” said Gordner. “That is certainly what DRIVE is.”

Gordner said he said there are regional entities that have interest in parts of this facility.

State Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver, R-107, said UPMC was once thought to be the “miracle” that the struggling hospital needed. The community was “devastated” and “shocked” when the decision to close was made, but the community was resilient and moved forward, she said.

“Over 100 years ago, the Sunbury Community Hospital was a gift in this community,” said Culver. “For 100 years they provided hope, healing and stability. UPMC is giving this gift back to us. We are so very grateful for your willingness to do this for us. This allows us to transform this property into something useful and meaningful once again.”

Northumberland County Commissioner Sam Schiccatano said it is “a great relief” to have the property turned over to DRIVE.

“They will bring this building back to life again,” said Schiccatano.

Donation made official Wednesday

Tyler Wagner, the senior manager of public relations of the Northcentral region of UPMC, said the donation was made official on Wednesday.

“We’re hoping that DRIVE will succeed and be able to turn this property in something the community can support, that will be a gem for the community and something very positive and an investment for the community,” he said. “We’re looking forward to what the organization looks like in the future here. UPMC is very much happy this is happening and it’s seen as a positive thing for us and the community.”

UPMC will have no further involvement after Thursday, said Wakeman.

Wakeman praised the state, local and DRIVE leaders who were involved in the agreement. It was, she said, “no small thing” they have done.

“Sometimes it feels like we can move mountains,” said Wakeman. “This might be the mountain.”

Wakeman said she looks forward to standing at the spot again in the future to cut the ribbon on new ventures.

“Stay tuned,” she said.