The state Senate passed a bill 45-5 Oct. 6 introduced by state Sen. David Argall that would prohibit a fourth-class county from buying property of a third-class city without the OK from the school district and the city if it is in an area designated for revitalization.

Argall introduced the bill in September responding to the continued interest of Schuylkill County to purchase the former Giant on Progress Boulevard. The store closed July 9.

The bill must pass the House, and the governor must sign it before it becomes law. That must be done in the current legislative session by the end of the year. Otherwise, it must go through the legislative process again.

“I am pleased that the Senate chose to act quickly on this important piece of legislation. People in Pottsville have spoken very clearly on this issue on a bipartisan basis: This property should be available for use as a hotel, restaurant or shops, not as a warehouse for old county records or a prerelease center for criminal offenders. It is 100 percent wrong to jeopardize Pottsville’s ongoing revitalization efforts with this unilateral action by two of our county commissioners. This is not just a bad decision for Pottsville, it’s an extraordinarily bad decision for the entire county because if Pottsville’s tax base is decreased, that will cause the county to raise taxes on all of us,” Argall said in a statement.

The county commissioners authorized Gary Bender, county administrator, to make an offer on the property last month. Commissioner Gary Hess voted no. The motion said the use would be for “county general purposes.”

Hess said the property is better suited for the revitalization efforts in the city. Bender did not return a call for comment.

A decision has not been made on what the property will be used for if purchased, but potential uses include a warehouse for storage, more room for county employees and even a prerelease center, which would be for nonviolent offenders. Those with drug, alcohol or mental health concerns could obtain treatment at the center.

City, state legislative leaders and the public have voiced strong opposition to the move by the county. They say a better use for the property is to contribute to the economic revitalization of the area. Also, if the county buys the property, it will remove it from the tax rolls.