HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of General Services on Wednesday introduced final site design plans for the approximately $450 million joint laboratory complex that will be built on the former grounds of the Harrisburg State Hospital.
The facility, which will "provide state-of-the-art research and analysis facilities to four Commonwealth agencies," is expected to be built within the next five years, DGS said.
Plans for the more than 30-acre property include the development of a $325 million joint lab facility to be shared by the Departments of Health, Agriculture, Environmental Protection, and Conservation and Natural Resources, DGS said.
A $125 million cutting-edge forensics lab dedicated to the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) will also be a cornerstone of the project, while historic preservation work will take place on four buildings that will be used to support the complex, according to DGS.
“This project will modernize laboratory facilities for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and help the Commonwealth more efficiently and effectively meet the need for public health testing, food safety testing, plant disease diagnostics, air- and water-quality testing, and forensic testing,” said DGS Secretary Reggie McNeil. “The facilities are being designed to meet the needs of the ever-changing world we live in to ensure our laboratory systems will continue to serve the citizens of the Commonwealth for many years to come.”
Site preparation work is slated to begin early next year, DGS said. New construction will take place in several stages, beginning in early 2026 and concluding roughly three years later.
The first phase will focus on construction of the 300,000-square-foot joint lab facility, expected to be completed in early 2029.
The second phase of construction, set to start in late 2026, includes the development of a 90,000-square-foot PSP forensics lab, as well historical restorations of Dix Museum, the site’s Administration Building, Chapel, and Dixmont Cottage.
Dating to 1845, the Harrisburg State Hospital closed in 2006. The site, located across from the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex on North Cameron Street, has remained mostly dormant ever since.
“This monumental endeavor underscores the Commonwealth's commitment to innovation, efficiency, and heritage preservation,” McNeil said. “By leveraging cutting-edge technology and honoring the site's historical significance, the project sets a new standard for sustainable development and public service excellence.”
The joint laboratory complex is expected to be occupied by late 2029.
