NEW CASTLE TOWNSHIP, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The fate of a local shopping hub has been decided, but the new owner has big plans for the property.
Very few stores remain at the once-crowded Schuylkill Mall in New Castle Township.
“The past year going there, has been very hard to see the mall decline as stores were going out,” said Donata Villella, lives in New Philadlephia.
The mall was sold after going bankrupt at the end of 2016. An out of state firm — with other businesses in the area, at the Highridge Business Park– bought the mall. And now — Northpoint Development — shows us what they have in store for the future.
Here’s a look at the Masterplan. The end plan is to build two large industrial buildings in place of the mall. Demolition begins this fall. Demolition will start near the Bon-ton section of the mall; allowing the movie theatre to remain open through the end of the year. The movie theatre will be the last section of the mall to be demolished.
“I feel sad about that, but then in another instance, it’s job opportunities,” said Villella.
Northpoint’s redevelopment plan is expected to create more than 800 new jobs.
“It’s family sustaining jobs,” said George Halcovage, Jr., Schuylkill County Commissioner.
“it’s a tremendous opportunity for logistics and manufacturers as well,” said Brian Hansbury, with SEDCO.
The schuylkill economic development corporation is facilitating the project while working with elected officials and taxing bodies.
Overall, those involved say this is a positive move for Schuylkill County.
As for the stores at the mall, shoppers might find them at new locations…
“We’re seeing the companies that were in the mall, they’re moving back into communities,” said Halcovage.
Northpoint plans to find tenants for the new buildings once construct is almost complete.