Tuscaloosa College Plans Purchase of State Property

Tuscaloosa, Alabama –
(AP) - The University of Alabama might have to pay more than $80 million to purchase the 188-acre Bryce Hospital property for any future expansion of its campus.
Former state Mental Health Commissioner Kathy Sawyer is conducting a study that has found the cost of relocating Bryce's 300 or so residents in Tuscaloosa County and duplicating the hospital's services would be in the mid-$80 million range.
An appraisal valued the property at $43 million three years ago.
Mental health officials said any sale depends on whether patients
can be adequately served in another facility.
Sawyer is still working on the report that should be completed
this week. UA spokeswoman Cathy Andreen said the university would
not have a response until the final report is issued.