RALEIGH -- Raleigh's mayor and advocacy groups announced an offer Thursday to purchase the 306-acre site of the Dorothea Dix hospital and turn it into an urban park.

Mayor Charles Meeker estimated the state-owned property, which includes the mental hospital and other state health offices, is valued at $10.5 million as parkland. He said preserving the area as parkland is "critical to the future of Raleigh and positions our state as one of vision and forethought."

Supporters hope to raise more than $7 million from private donors and build a destination park overlooking Raleigh's central business district. The state Legislature would have to approve any sale.

The hospital is scheduled to close as soon as this fall, when a new state hospital opens in Granville County opens.

Under the proposal, the state Department of Health and Human Services would retain its office space rent free for up to five years before moving off the site.

House Speaker Joe Hackney, D-Orange, said he liked the idea of having a park on the property but believes some of the land should be set aside to provide mental health services.

"We'll listen to what Raleigh has to say, but I don't think it's a good idea for the state to give up ownership of the land," he said.

This year's budget proposed by Gov. Mike Easley recommended using bond money to build a $173 million office complex on the campus for the health department.

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.