Latest news with #NickSherman
CBS News
13-03-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Costco to move in after Washington Mall's demolition
Once the old Washington Mall is torn down, Costco will become the anchor tenant. When Costco takes over the property, which has been empty for more than a decade, it will be one of the biggest stores in southwest Pennsylvania, bringing hundreds of new jobs to the area. "Everyone in the area is pumped up for it," said Washington County Commissioner Nick Sherman. It was the toughest secret to keep, according to Sherman. "We talk about feasibility studies. Costco is going to come in with their corporate offices and they're going to see will the market support this. They've done that and they're saying yes," Sherman said. "It speaks volumes of the economic success that we're having here in Washington County," he added. The news comes two weeks after commissioners announced plans to tear down the former mall that closed 11 years ago. Costco will be a key part in its redevelopment, done entirely with money from the American Rescue Plan Act, and it will bring hundreds of jobs with a starting average wage of $30 per hour with benefits. "We wanted to be a better steward of the taxpayers' dollars. We want to make sure that we're capitalizing investments," Sherman said. "The local operators union is going to be doing work on this to demo this, IBEW, Steelworkers, everyone's going to be building this building and demoing this building. In addition to that, in perpetuity, Costco is a great employer and they pay a great wage," Sherman said. KDKA-TV caught up with people who say they can't wait for Costco. "I'm very excited about it. I'm from Kirkland, Washington, and that's where Costco originated and I used it on the reg, so hopefully it'll get here soon," one person said. "I have a big family so having Sam's Club over there actually and just another big membership store would be wonderful. I'd probably have both memberships," another said. Demolition is set to start in the early summer.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Costco store will replace blighted Washington Mall
Washington County leaders announced a Costco is coming to town. The announcement comes two weeks after county commissioners announced plans to demolish the site of the old Washington Mall that closed more than a decade ago. Commissioners say it will be one of the largest stores in Western PA, taking up most of the former mall's space. 'It's going to be one of the biggest stores in Southwest PA, the massive mall footprint will be almost entirely a Costco,' said Commissioner Nick Sherman. Commissioners shared the news with WPXI early, but the official announcement came at the Washington Real Estate Expo Wednesday evening. The expo is in its first year, but had a big turnout full of business leaders, sales reps and vendors. 'We are hearing about a lot of businesses and people moving from Allegheny County because of tax increases, we are doing everything we can to keep people here and keep our taxes low,' said Commissioner Electra Janis. We spoke to expo visitors who were excited to learn about the mall's development. 'As a husband and father with two little girls hearing Costo is in town, it's something at home, instead of running out to Robinson, to have right down the street, it's exciting. I think it's something the whole community can be excited about,' said Jeff King, of RTI Insurance. 'It's so exciting. Everyone is talking about it. It's going to bring so much business to that area, there is going to be so much growth!' said Rose Pepper, a longtime Washington business owner. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Former Washington Mall will be demolished this spring to make room for new businesses
A once thriving mall is getting a second chance at life. The former Washington Mall in South Strabane Township will be demolished to make room for new businesses. The itself mall closed 11 years ago. County commissions are using part of the $13-15 million of their Covid Relief Funds slated for blighted projects. County Commissioner Nick Sherman says the property is an eyesore right now, and can be seen from Interstate 70 and 79. 'Hundreds of thousands of cars go by here and when they drive by what do they see? A blighted property. A mall that hasn't been used in over 11 years. That's no jobs and no development,' Sherman said. 'A lot of people came here, it was a new thing at the time, and very popular. We used to come here all the time,' said John DeFillippo, a Canonsburg resident who still visits the China buffet with his wife, one of the only remaining businesses on the property. 'I think malls are dying out. Not like it used to be!' Sherman tells Channel 11 that a big box retailer is coming as well as some restaurants and an RV dealership. He said it took three years and a lot of lawyers to get to the point where they can finally demolish the building. 'This was monumental to get this done,' Sherman said. Demolition is set to start in the spring. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Washington County implementing new $24 million 911 radio system
Washington County is beginning to implement a new, $24 million dollar 911 radio system that county leaders and first responders agree is long overdue. County Commissioners and Motorola are holding an educational forum Wednesday night and inviting emergency officials to attend and ask questions. 'This is the safety of our first responders I can't tell you how many police officers told me what's it going to take, how many of us have to die before you do something about this system,' said Commissioner Nick Sherman. 'There's going to be a lot of people there tonight and it's potentially going to be a hostile environment and they are hostile because for years they have been told this is going to be fixed and it never are frustrated and they have every right to be frustrated.' The county's coverage does not meet Homeland Security standards right now, with some areas having 20-50% coverage. The new Motorola contract includes new towers, radios and portable units and has expectations that 95% of the county will have coverage, or else they'll be expected to fix it. 'The public safety is important and the radio system is the lifeline to it. It needed [to be] upgraded. But we gotta get it right, that's how important it is,' said Larry Maggi, the county commissioner who didn't vote for the Motorola contract. The cost keeps escalating. We aren't sure about the coverage now. These are some of the questions that need answers and I think first responders are going to ask them tonight,' Maggi tells Channel 11 they were previously going with another company and had already invested 6-8 million dollars in equipment that is now sitting unused. 'We have 6-8 million dollars worth of equipment at a hanger at the airport not being used. I want to make sure we are using taxpayer dollars worthwhile,' said Maggi. The new system will connect Washington County to neighboring counties to improve communication, particularly during times of crisis and emergency. The full implementation could take up to 18 months. Tonight's meeting is expected to be 90 minutes and could be heated. Several fire chiefs tell Channel 11 they have questions about coverage and cost they hope will be addressed. The cost was around 23-24 million. 'My understanding [is] it's escalating with more tower sites that weren't included in the first cost, and we need to know all that,' said Maggi. 'The scenarios are endless to not have access to your first responders, cops, fire, EMS. I mean this is Washington County, we have the money to fix things, we are looking at all the spending that goes on, the basics need to be taken care of first, which is our first responders,' said Commissioner Sherman. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
