Schuylkill County Administrator Gary Bender said Wednesday he is recommending the county purchase the former Giant lot on Progress Avenue.

“I think it has a lot of value to the county,” Bender said after the weekly commissioners meeting.

He isn’t the only one with input though. County Engineer Lisa Mahal and Finance Director Paul Buber are also on the administrative team that will make a formal recommendation to the commissioners.

The county conducted an appraisal recently on the former Giant property at 500 Progress Ave. in Pottsville. No formal offer has been made yet.

City, business leaders, some members of the community and state legislative leaders have voiced objections to the purchase by the county.

Among the options for the site are a warehouse for storage, more room for county employees and even a prerelease center, something Commissioner Gary Hess said he will not vote for, saying the property has development potential for revitalization efforts underway in the city. A prerelease center would be for nonviolent offenders. Those with drug and alcohol or mental health concerns could obtain treatment at the center.

“The decision will be made at a public meeting,” Bender said about the potential purchase of the property.

Bender said he spoke to the prior board of commissioners, asking if the county would be interested in the property if it were for sale in the future.

Commissioner George Halcovage said Wednesday the commissioners “have not been directly involved” with the matter.

Halcovage said he has confidence in the team. He said the interest in the site and possible use as a prerelease center has “taken on a life of its own.”

Halcovage said the site is “not about an intermediate placement facility. It’s an opportunity for the county,” he said.

He said commissioners have an “obligation” to consider what is best for county residents and taxpayers.

For example, the location has more than 150 parking spaces county employees could use.

“There’s so many uses for that property. The parking alone is a major asset,” Halcovage said.

He didn’t ask what the appraisal is for on the site, but he will. Halcovage said he is “hoping” a recommendation by the administrative team is made this month.

Halcovage isn’t in favor of using Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security money to pay for the potential purchase.

“I don’t think its appropriate to use CARES Act funding for that,” saying it should go for coronavirus related expenses.

Commissioners Chairman Barron “Boots” Hetherington said previously the potential purchase of the site is an opportunity the county should examine.