Mar 27, 2025 By Jon Andreassi 3 min read

Elected officials in South Strabane Township have approved plans that will significantly alter the site of the now-defunct Washington Mall.

Representatives of developer 79/70 Associates were on hand Tuesday for public hearings on conditional use applications to operate a recreational vehicle dealership and service center, and a fuel station at a proposed “warehouse club.” Two weeks ago, Washington County Commissioners Nick Sherman and Electra Janis confirmed that the Costco warehouse club would be locating there.

South Strabane supervisors unanimously approved those applications, as well as construction of a 16,000-square-foot retail building, which will be the new home of Harbor Freight. Also approved were preliminary land development applications for the warehouse club and fuel station, and the RV business.

Nate Phillips represented 79/70 Associates at Tuesday’s meeting, and said that most of the mall will be razed, except the former sites of Toys ‘R Us and Giant Eagle. Those buildings will be renovated into a Campers Inn RV dealership and service center, respectively.

Harbor Freight will move toward the Firestone Tires and Popeye’s locations, and a former Community Bank branch will be torn down as part of the construction.

Phillips offered some insight into how plans for Harbor Freight will dovetail with the demolition of the rest of the mall.

“The goal is by the time the mall is just coming down and approaching the back of Harbor Freight, the Harbor Freight can take about three weeks to move into the new digs,” Phillips said.

According to Phillips, they hope to have the Harbor Freight operating in the new location by the holiday season.

Though the warehouse club has already been revealed to be a Costco by the commissioners, Phillips said he legally could not confirm what the business is.

“Unfortunately, we have a non-disclosure agreement that hasn’t terminated yet, but I suspect there aren’t many secrets left in this county,” Phillips said.

Supervisor Jeff Bull questioned Phillips about how the project would be funded, and if developers would seek to make use of the tax increment financing (TIF) program.

“Would you have a problem with us putting in your agreements that you do not come forward and ask for a TIF … You do not ask to have a NID, a neighborhood improvement district, and you don’t ask for any taxpayers’ funding from the township?” Bull asked.

Phillips said the speed with which the project is moving, it would not be practical to make use of those programs.

“It’s certainly not our intent. Usually those processes take a long time. This project is going to move pretty fast. As you may be aware, bids are out and received back for the mall demolition. This project is intended to take less than a year, realistically, from today,” Phillips said.

However, he would not rule out seeking other funding sources.

“I would caution, because there are various grants that are available, and I wouldn’t want to convey to this panel that we wouldn’t want to pursue some of those to make this project economically viable. There is still a mountain to climb on this project,” Phillips said.