EBENSBURG — A Lowe’s Home Improvement store will anchor a new shopping center east of the Wal-Mart plaza on Route 22 near the intersection of Route 219, if Cambria Township officials approve the plan.
In yet another sign of future large-scale development along Route 22, Ebensburg attorney and developer Dino Persio submitted a rezoning request to township supervisors on Monday.
The specific action would change 10.4 acres from residential to commercial, matching other Persio-owned commercial land near Wal-Mart and along Jamesway Road, which runs parallel to Route 22.
Although Persio declined to reveal specific plans for the site, sources close to the project confirmed that Lowe’s will anchor the new shopping area.
A national chain restaurant also is expected to locate in the area.
Economic development leaders applauded the news.
“Without question, any kind of development like this is more than welcome. We would be encouraging such projects because there are always benefits like jobs and revenue,” said Kenneth Mesko, director of the Cambria County Industrial Authority.
“I welcome the development along the Route 22 corridor, and we’ll see more of it,” said Dan Penatzer, Ebensburg Borough manager.
“It’s good for the entire area,” he said.
Township supervisors have the sole discretion to approve a rezoning, township Solicitor Dennis Govachini said.
“The supervisors can approve or reject it. It does not go before the planning agencies,” he said.
Govachini said the property will be posted with signs advertising the rezoning request and all nearby property owners will be notified and can testify at a public hearing.
The site, although adjacent to the Wal-Mart complex, also is near a housing development.
Several houses along Jamesway Road have been bought by developers, including Persio, and Decker Jewelry is located among them. Other houses still are private residences.
Although supervisors offered no comment Monday on the request, they have been supportive in the past of Persio’s plans for further commercial development on that stretch of Route 22.
In 2006, they committed sewage capacity to the site, which then was vaguely described as “a retail center.”
On the other side of Route 22, a portion of the Ebensburg Center has been sold to a private development group, which is in the process of demolishing a building but has not revealed plans for the site.
Also long-rumored is a new motel somewhere along Route 22.
At the Wal-Mart site, a new Lowe’s would be the second to locate in Cambria County. One is near The Galleria shopping mall north of Johnstown.
Lowe’s is a U.S.-based chain of retail home improvement and appliance stores. Founded in 1946 in North Carolina, it is now the second-largest hardware chain in the U.S., behind Home Depot.
Local News
Related Photos
-
The area that may be the home of a new Lowe’s Home Improvement store near Ebensburg is seen Monday. The second-largest hardware chain in the U.S. is planning to open a store in the adjacent lot, next to the Goodwill store in the Wal-Mart Plaza along Route 22. Dave Lloyd
Discussion
Lowe’s store, restaurant planned for Route 22 plaza
- Local News
-
-
Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May
An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.
-
Man jailed on rash of charges
A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.
-
Cambria abolishes 16 jobs
Following through on promises to cut budget costs, the Cambria County commissioners voted Thursday to abolish 16 positions, including nine full-time jobs.
-
Blogging with heart
Anyone else have this issue: The more I know, the more I want to learn.
As I am writing my heart month stories for this week’s packages, I occasionally come across a term or description unfamiliar to me. So I look it up. And then the definition or article has something else that sounds important, so I look that up. -
Wozniak defends his support of drilling bill
State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, one of only seven Democrats to support the Marcellus Shale legislation adopted this week, said the bill protects the environment and provides help to local communities impacted by the natural gas drilling.
-
Businessman hoping to unseat Wozniak
Tim Houser uses two words – “challenging opportunity” – to describe his goal in this year’s elections.
-
Judge tosses evidence in robbery
A Cambria County prosecutor said he’ll have to drop robbery charges against a Twin Rocks woman after much of his evidence was suppressed by a judge.
-
Shooting defendant pleads to attempted murder
A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty Thursday in county court to attempted murder and theft in a Nov. 18 home invasion in which the homeowner was shot.
-
Garrett man sought in Somerset crime
An arrest warrant has been issued for Samuel McFarland Jr., 33, of Berlin Street in Garrett in connection with Saturday’s robbery of two boys outside Dollar General on East Main Street in Somerset.
-
City man shot during alleged burglary
A Johnstown man was shot during a burglary attempt in Indiana County and then burglarized a home in Armstrong County before he was arrested, authorities said Thursday.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
