Senator Argall Asks Schuylkill County Commissioners to Reject Purchase of Pottsville Property for Prison Pre-Release Center

On Monday, Senator David G. Argall joined the growing support from the community asking the Schuylkill County Commissioners to stop the county from purchasing the former Giant Grocery Store Property for a prison pre-release center.

Late last week, word spread that Schuylkill County was interested in purchasing the property on Progress Avenue in Pottsville for the center.

Many county and city officials opposed the project and pledged to voice their concerns this coming Wednesday during the Schuylkill County Commissioners meeting.  An online petition was also started and as of this posting on Tuesday, within 4 days, the petition had gathered almost 1,500 signatures.

On Monday, Pennsylvania State Senator David Argall sent a letter to Schuylkill County Commissioner and Board of Commissioners President Barron Hetherington to join in the opposition of purchasing the property for the pre-release center and offered help to find a proper location for the center.

Argall's letter to Hetherington stated:

"As you know, many of us have been working together have been working with the City of Pottsville’s elected and appointed officials. the Pottsville Redevelopment Authority, the Pottsville Area Development Corporation and more than 70 community stakeholders in revitalizing the downtown business district. Our goal: to bring back the City as a hub for services, entertainment and restaurants. County use of this site would be a major setback to all of our efforts. 

Two separate $ 1 Million state grant investments are now assisting important projects identified by well-attended public stakeholder meetings to directly support zoning changes. demolition plans. property purchases. parking garage construction. New federal grants have been invested in the PADCO revolving loan hind to assist new and expanding business plans. business development and marketing/programning events. 

Another highlight is the development of an investor lead group seeking quality overnight accommodations for the region—including our state park facilities and American’s Oldest Brewery. Yuengling. This has been a long-time goal: A new hotel to serve our region and improve the local tax base. 

I ask you to reject any purchase of the Giant Food Store property for the Pre-Release Center or other County use. As you know. I stand prepared to assist you in finding another site for this purpose.