State Rep. Jake Wheatley, D-Allegheny, will lead an open community forum about the future of the 24-acre SCI-Pittsburgh site from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 13 at 3001 Beaver Ave.

The Brightwood Civic Group and the Brighton Heights Citizens’ Federation are also participating in the event, along with numerous state, city and county officials.

Earlier this year, the state Department of Corrections announced plans to shutter the facility as a cost-savings, penal-system-downsizing measure. Wheatley and other community leaders are eager to begin fielding ideas for repurposing the riverfront property, and view Thursday’s forum as one of the first major steps in that direction.

Questions can be directed to Wheatley’s office at (412) 471-7760 or by visiting the brightwoodcivicgroup.org website.