PITTSTON, Pa. — The name of the former family grocery store remains on the building in Pittston, but it's been more than a year since Quinn's closed. The future of the site was uncertain for months, but now the city officials say it's in their hands.
"We've acquired the site. We closed on the property last week. So, you know, we already have given it to an architectural firm to begin design work on it. You know, we're looking at another mixed-use project, which will create a parkade with multiple levels of parking," said Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo.
The place will also include residential and commercial space.
"It's the city's intent and the authority's intent to be able to attract a supermarket operator," added Lombardo.
The redevelopment authority says this project will complement the Market & Main Theater project in downtown Pittston.
"Between the two projects, we have about $9 million in grants in hand. We have a couple of different applications pending for a couple more million dollars, and we're looking at some other private financing options, options to finalize," explained Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Joe Chacke.
City officials tell Newswatch 16 they believe they're taking Pittston in the right direction based on all the interest in the ongoing revitalization projects.
"Over the past three or four years, we've seen a change where we no longer have to seek out private developers; they're actually calling us and, you know, I think they're kind of seeing the development that's happening block by block, and it's definitely drumming up interest. So that's been a great thing to have in the city, and we definitely think it's a quality-of-life improvement for a lot of our residents," said Shannon Bonacci, the deputy director of the Office of Community Development for Pittston.
Both projects are still in the planning and financing stages, but the city hopes to begin moving by the beginning of 2025.