Schuylkill County Commissioners have not moved forward with putting a prerelease center on the site of the former Giant grocery store in downtown Pottsville.

On Wednesday, they responded to reports that they met Tuesday to express intent for the center.

“I didn’t even talk to George (Halcovage) or Gary (Hess) on Tuesday, so that is false. At no point Tuesday were all three of us together,” Schuylkill County Commissioners’ Chairman Barron “Boots” Hetherington said Wednesday after the weekly meeting.

Hetherington said no recommendation has been made by the administrative team of County Administrator Gary Bender, County Engineer Lisa Mahall, or Finance Director Paul Buber.

The county conducted an appraisal of the property at 500 Progress Ave., which closed previously. It is interested in the property for the parking and benefit it could provide the county.

Among the options for the site are a warehouse for storage, more room for county employees and even a prerelease center, which would be for nonviolent offenders. Those with drug and alcohol or mental health concerns could obtain treatment at the center.

“I’m not ruling any options out,” Hetherington said.

Commissioner Gary Hess said he isn’t for purchasing the property at all, saying it is better suited for revitalization efforts in the city.

Halcovage added that no decision has been made on the building.

Bender also confirmed that.

“There has been no decision made on that building period,” he said.

He has advocated buying the site.

“I think it has a lot of value to the county,” Bender said previously.

He spoke with the prior board of commissioners, asking if the county would be interested in the property if it were for sale in the future.

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

The property is owned by Surrey Equities LLC and Winstanley Enterprises LLC.

Edward Silvera, president of Surrey Equities, did not return a call for comment.