FRACKVILLE — Demolition of the Schuylkill Mall will begin by the end of the year to make way for two industrial buildings capable of supporting more than 800 new jobs, according to the Schuylkill Economic Development Corp.
Brian Hansbury, SEDCO vice president, outlined NorthPoint Development’s plans for the mall with a presentation Wednesday at the county commissioners’ work session. He also asked the commissioners to approve a 50 percent tax break over the next 10 years on any increased value to the property. Following those 10 years, tax revenue from the property is expected to increase from about $250,000 to more than $1 million, according to Hansbury.
NorthPoint Development does not yet have tenants for the buildings and job figures are based on projections, Hansbury said. The buildings will be 890,000 square feet and 360,000 square feet.
Demolition will start in the late fall or early winter near the former Bon-Ton section of the mall and make its way toward The Pearl Theatre Stadium 8, which will remain open through the end of the year.
New Castle Township and the Saint Clair Area School District have already approved their portion of the tax agreement. The commissioners will vote on the agreement next week.