More than 15 years after the Philipsburg hospital closed, the rest of the site has been sold

More than 15 years after the Philipsburg Area Hospital closed, the remainder of the land it sat on has a new purpose.

Jeff Long of Graystone Philipsburg purchased the remaining 13 acres, the Moshannon Valley Economic Development Partnership said Tuesday. Real estate records show the Rush Township land was sold for $285,000. Graystone plans to build apartments on the site for people 55 and older; the building will be similar to Graystone Court Villas Clearfield.

The partnership’s executive director, Stan LaFuria, said in a statement that discussions were held several years ago with Long about redeveloping the former junior high building, but that project never got off the ground. The hospital site was a better fit.

“We are very pleased that Mr. Long recognized the housing needs that exist here and that he decided to develop a project here,” LaFuria said.

The partnership acquired the site from the state in 2017 and renamed it the Philipsburg Area Commerce Park. Moshannon Valley Emergency Medical Services previously bought about 2 acres of the former hospital site with plans to build a new ambulance headquarters and training facility, the partnership said.

Graystone Court Philipsburg will include a five-story, 72-unit complex with one- and two-bedroom apartments as well as 20 two-bedroom cottage homes. Groundbreaking is expected in summer 2023 with construction taking 18 months.