South Fayette approves conditional application for UPMC hospital

South Fayette commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to approve a conditional use application for UPMC to build a $211.2 million, 90bed hospital in the Newbury Market complex on Presto Sygan Road.

Commissioners have been discussing the matter since April and have held several public hearings, including one prior to the 3-0 vote Wednesday.

Commissioner Raymond Pitetti recused himself from the vote as he is employed by UPMC. Commissioner Lisa Malosh was absent.

During the public meeting, Tammy Ribar, counsel for Newbury Associates, said, “We need UPMC in particular for this project as a second anchor.” Topgolf, a Dallas-based sports entertainment company, was announced in June as an anchor tenant for Newbury.

“What we’re asking for is the support of this township to move the project forward,” Ms. Ribar said.

Greg Peaslee, executive vice president and chief administrative officer for UPMC, said that the hospital would complement the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC facility that is currently in South Fayette.

“We believe having an adult hospital in this area will continue to serve this area the way Children’s does now,” Mr. Peaslee said. He added that UPMC would commit $50,000 to $100,000 per year to the township for communitybased projects.

Brett Malky, president of Newbury Development Associates, added that he is still committed to building a main street for the community in the Newbury development if UPMC is a tenant.

According to a study by Manchester-based Fourth Economy, the construction of the facility could bring in about 1,200 jobs. Tax revenue would net about $559,510 in annual taxes — $169,870 for the township and about $389,640 for the school district.

Several residents spoke during the hearing prior to the vote and some were concerned about traffic impact and the change of the Newbury development to a hospital from retail space as it was first proposed.

Michael Rynn called the hospital a “sudden and fundamental change” to what was proposed years ago as a main street. “Hospitals aren’t destinations of choice,” like retail or restaurants, but destinations of necessity, he said.