Mericle betting on new building
Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services plans to construct a 223,200-square-foot industrial building across from the Home Depot in CenterPoint Commerce and Trade Park West in Pittston Twp., the company announced Monday.
The building will be constructed on speculation, without a purchase commitment from a buyer. Construction will begin in July and Mericle expects it will be ready for tenants by the end of November.
Mericle spokesman Jim Cummings said the building will be marketed to a variety of manufacturing and distribution companies. A building of this size could house 100 to 200 workers, he said.
"We continue to receive inquiries from food manufacturers, life sciences companies and national retailers seeking industrial space," he said.
The 24-acre parcel is one of more than 30 "Ready to Go" sites Mericle's design and excavation designs have developed in CenterPoint. Through the program, Mericle is preparing more than 90 sites in 10 business parks in Northeast Pennsylvania for immediate building construction.
Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce President Joseph Burke said having a modern building available so close to the interstates and the local labor force should quickly lead to new jobs for the Pittston area.
The new building will be the 22nd constructed in CenterPoint since 2006. Mericle also will soon break ground for the first of six new speculative office buildings in CenterPoint West.
The Wilkes-Barre-based Commission on Economic Opportunity is constructing a 50,220-square-foot warehouse and distribution center on a 6.35-acre site in CenterPoint East donated by Mericle. The facility will house the operations of the nonprofit Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank.
By the end of 2013, CenterPoint will be home to 24 buildings totaling more than 5.8 million square feet. The park is now home to 32 companies employing 3,400 people.
Contact the writer: dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com