RALEIGH -- N.C. Department of Administration Secretary Machelle Sanders announced the department’s State Property Office will resume the sale of the old Rex Hospital property near downtown Raleigh.

“After thoughtful evaluation, the State Property Office will resume actions to sell the old Rex Hospital site,” Secretary Sanders said. “This is a strategic decision in managing our state’s assets made in the long-term best interests of both the taxpayers and the state.”

Commercial real estate services firm Jones Lang LaSalle will act as broker.

Former Gov. Pat McCrory had advanced plans to sell the property, but those plans were put on hold when Gov. Roy Cooper took office.

The site currently houses offices for the Employment Security Commission.

In 2016, the state issued a request for proposals for development at the old Rex Hospital site, located at 700 Wade Avenue. Sale was paused earlier this year while the department began a review of all state property, including properties previously identified for sale.

Governor Cooper’s recommended budget includes funding to update the Capital Area Master Plan, which will facilitate a comprehensive review of state assets.