Kohl’s not coming to Fayette County
Kohl’s has decided against building a new store in Fayette County.
The Wisconsin-based retailer recently backed out of plans to construct a store at the site of the former Walmart and Shop-N-Save on Matthew Drive in South Union Township, township Supervisor Robert Schiffbauer said.
“It’s not going anywhere right now,” Schiffbauer said.
Concerns about expensive site development costs due to the pyrite that caused ground shifting and damaged the foundations of the Wal-Mart and Shop-N-Save and demolishing those building, and issues with the market led to Kohl’s change of heart, he said.
“Ground shifting due to pyrite plus the cost of demolition will significantly increase site development costs,” Schiffbauer said.
Kohl’s might reconsider its plans in the future and Schiffbauer said that he believes improvements to Matthew Drive and planned improvements to Route 21 make the site attractive to other businesses.
Optimism that the Kohl’s development would proceed after the supervisors approved a subdivision and land development plans to build a 100,000-square-foot store last spring has turned to disappointment.
In April, the supervisors approved both plans that were submitted on Kohl’s behalf by developer Told Development, also of Wisconsin. Told even named the site — South Union Marketplace.
The supervisors also agreed to reduce the number of parking spaces from 1,150, which was required by the township zoning ordinance, to 1,023 in the entire parking lot and from 680 spaces to 618 spaces for Kohl’s.
“I thought it was in our grasp,” Schiffbauer said.
Representatives from Kohl’s and Told could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Schiffbauer commended Told for working hard to bring Kohl’s to the county.
There have been some “nibbles” of interest in the site from other businesses, but none of the inquiries has panned out, he said.
However, Schiffbauer remains confident that the site will be redeveloped eventually.
Matthew Drive, which provides access to the site, was expanded from a two-lane road to a four-lane road with turning lanes several years ago and the state Department of Transportation has started buying rights of way to widen Route 21, which intersects with Matthew Drive, he said.
“Improvements to Matthew Drive and (Route) 21 will further enhance that location,” Schiffbauer said. “It certainly enhances that property and Cherry Tree Square.”
Securing money for the $24 million Route 21 project, which involves improving the intersection and adding turning lanes, is in good hands, he said, with U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Holidaysburg, whose district includes Fayette County, chairing the House Transportation Committee.