Progress Coming Along On Target Store In East Liberty
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Where the old Penn Towers once stood, now stands a slick glass and metal monument to progress.
"It looks great. To think literally in a year and a half we've come this far on this site is incredible," said Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl.
Inside the new East Liberty Target, the signature red walls are taking shape; although, there's still much to be done. Company officials say the store will be one of a kind.
"It's going to be one of the few Targets that's a two level with a parking garage on the bottom, and it's the only Target in the country with windows on the sales floor to allow natural light to come in," explained Dave Melocchi, who will run the store.
City leaders toured the new building on Thursday.
City Councilman Ricky Burgess, who represents the district, says the development means East Liberty is coming full circle from its former retail heyday.
"As Google has relocated here, as corporate headquarters have relocated here, because of our education and medical facilities, this is becoming the place to be and the place to live," he said.
"For them to choose Pittsburgh and invest here despite the economy is an indicator of how strong this market is and how well they think it will do in the East Liberty neighborhood," added Ravenstahl.
At the same time as the tour, jobseekers packed the social hall at the East Liberty Presbyterian Church for a job fair.
Target officials say they expect the store to create about 250 job openings. Many of them are promised to people who live in the neighborhood.
"It's real important because everyone likes to shop there. It's nice and beautiful," said Tanesha Meggett, who applied for a job.
Shavonne Holland, who has lived in East Liberty for nine years, says she is hoping to land a cashier or stock position.
"It would bring a lot more business and a lot more people in here," she said. "And it will be better."
The store is expected to open on July 24.
RELATED LINKS:
Target
East Liberty
More News from East Liberty
More Local News
