Columbia Mayor Bob Coble said Gov. Mark Sanford’s endorsement of closing the State Hospital campus makes it more likely redevelopment of the 178-acre tract on Bull Street could happen soon.

The coveted property, which would be by far the largest area available for development downtown, has been discussed as a site for homes, portions of the USC Research Campus and doctors’ offices.

“I think it is an absolute monumental step toward the property being available,” said Coble, who wants to see a residential development on the property. “If Sanford is behind it, I think it will happen.”

S.C. Department of Mental Health officials predict that closing the historic State Hospital campus will save taxpayers $5.3 million annually in operations costs, according to Sanford’s budget.

Sanford said the campus could sell for $30 million to $50 million, which he said should be invested in the state’s health care system.

A Department of Mental Health spokesman declined to comment specifically on this aspect of Sanford’s budget proposal.

“Our agency’s goal is to ensure that quality services will still continue with any budget and restructuring changes,” Geoff Mason, the department’s chief of staff, said in a statement.

Fewer than 300 patients reside at the facility, according to the governor’s budget proposal, but the agency still operates an automotive garage, welding shop, greenhouse and other services on the campus. In the past, Mason has said it might not be easy to quickly move the patients to another facility.

In July, mental health officials told the governor they might not need the facility, raising expectations it might soon be sold.

There are several historic buildings on the property, including the 212,000-square-foot Babcock Building. Coble said those buildings could be folded into any redevelopment of the property.

“I think that’s what adds to the value of the property and its potential use,” Coble said.

Staff writer Valerie Bauerlein contributed to this story. Reach Drake at (803) 771-8692 or jdrake@thestate.com.