THOMASVILLE — No one has expressed interest or looked at the former Southwestern State Hospital property in about a year. Recently, two separate developers looked at it within 10 days.

“Both would look at it to be a mental health facility,” said Shelley Zorn, Thomasville Payroll Development (PDA) executive director.

The now-defunct Southwestern State Hospital was a mental health facility shut down by the state several years ago.

The state-owned, 200-acre South Pinetree Boulevard campus has 18 buildings with a total of 400,000 square feet and a price tag of $3.4 million.

If either of the people who looked at the property recently decides to move forward, the PDA would contact the State Property Commission about a sale.

“It has to be the right project for the state to consider selling it,” Zorn said.

Since the facility was paid for with tax dollars, the state cannot sell the property to a private developer. It would be sold to the PDA, which would sell it to the developer.

One of the developers — from South Florida — who looked at the campus has contacted Zorn since inspecting the property.

Zorn said a letter of intent describing jobs and investment, financial statements, tax returns and a business plan have been requested of the individual.

“Before we approach the state, we need to vet them,” Zorn said.

She said it is a misconception that the Southwestern campus is vacant.

About 100 state employees serve mental health clients at the site. The state probation office and Georgia Pines are housed on the campus, Zorn said. 

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820