Revised plans for Ross Park Mall redevelopment approved Monday night

ROSS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Expansion plans for Ross Park Mall to turn the former Sears into an entertainment complex with a movie theater, a fitness center and new shops were approved Monday night.

The proposal hit a snag last month after Ross Township commissioners voiced safety concerns.

The Simon Property Group submitted revised plans for the mall Monday night, when they were approved by a unanimous vote.

The biggest holdup was a safety concern for pedestrians who walk on the streets from McKnight Road up to the mall. Now, an agreement has been reached to allow more Port Authority buses at the mall.

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"We've altered our zoning ordinances recently to enact a mixed use overlay district along McKnight Road to encourage these types of developments," said Steve Korbel, president of the Ross Township board of commissioners. "We rely heavily on the mall as well as other commercial businesses on McKnight Road for our tax base. We believe that brick and mortar retail will be de-emphasized in the future."

Scott Richardson from the Simon Property Group told Channel 11 they can't name specific businesses, but are tearing down the old Sears building.

The food court will also be relocated, creating a food hall, with new restaurants and stores.

"I can tell you, we want to bring this online as quickly as possible," Richardson said.

Commissioners welcomed the plan, but asked the mall to add sidewalks so pedestrians and mall workers would not have to walk on roadsides to get to the bus stops.

Instead, the mall agreed to let more buses stop at the mall.

"Malls always evolve, they rarely stay the same. Some get better, some get worse. Ross Park Mall has continuously gotten better," Richardson said.

There's no timetable for when the project is expected to be complete.

Cox Media Group