Washington Mall redevelopment continues
What was once a bustling indoor shopping center is now largely a pile of rubble and debris.
Since the fall, construction crews have been busy razing the Washington Mall in South Strabane Township to make way for a Costco.
Still currently standing are the Harbor Freight and Grand China Buffet, but those buildings will also be torn down later this year. Harbor Freight will be moving across the parking lot near Firestone, and work has already started laying the foundation.
“What’s happening now, Harbor Freight has been issued a building permit for their building. It will not be demolished until they are able to occupy the new building. That should be completed sometime this summer. Then the developer can move forward with their plans, which we all know is Costco,” said Bob Griffin, the executive director of the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Washington.
The Redevelopment Authority is overseeing the demolition phase of the project. Last year the authority awarded a $5.9 million contract to Neiswonger Construction for the job.
According to Griffin, the Grand China Buffet will likely come down around the same time as Harbor Freight.
“As I understand, their lease is going to expire so they will be vacating that space in the very near future,” Griffin said.
Costco, a wholesale retail club, will have a footprint of more than 150,000 square feet. The property will also be home to a Campers Inn RV center, which will move into the former Giant Eagle.
The new businesses are being developed by 79/70 Associates LLC, which is connected to Chapman Properties in Leetsdale. Chapman Properties did not return a phone call seeking comment.
Griffin says that construction crews will be removing the large piles of debris, but are also doing work on the sewage and water lines.
“Other work you may not necessarily see because it’s infrastructure and utilities,” Griffin said.
Last year, Washington County Commissioner Nick Sherman said Costco was planning to open its doors by December. According to Griffin, the project is moving along on schedule.
“Demolition is going very well. People can see that progress has been made. I believe that things are on schedule and it is moving forward,” Griffin said.