Alvernia University officials, city, county and state leaders could hardly contain their enthusiasm Thursday about what the university coming to Pottsville means for the future.

“If this isn’t a great start to something new and great, I don’t know what is,” Alvernia University President John Loyack said at the former Giant store, 500 Progress Ave.

The university has signed an agreement to purchase the former store, which closed July 9 after underperforming. It had been open for more than 30 years. A price was not disclosed.

Loyack said moving back to the city is like déjà vu.

“Over 25 years ago in 1995, we entered the region right here in Pottsville in the Thompson building. Twenty-five years and hundreds of hundreds of graduates later we begin the process of coming back home. Home to Pottsville as we embark on Pottsville CollegeTowne.

“Just as St. Francis played a critical role in rebuilding the church, Alvernia collaborating with other partners intends to play a key role in contributing to the continued revitalization of the city of Pottsville,” Michael Fromm, chairman of the Alvernia University Board if Trustees, said.

“Today is one of the greatest things for our revitalization,” Pottsville Mayor James T. Muldowney said.

The 16,000-square-foot site will offer a business incubator and classes for students. Loyack said the goal is to purchase it by the end of 2021. Construction could start in January and take six months or more with the fall of 2022 as the target date for starting.

Credit certificate programs, bachelor and graduate degrees are proposed.

Reading is the other location of the CollegeTowne initiative.

Students attend the Schuylkill Center located at the Cressona Mall in North Manheim Township where the school has been for 12 years. In all, 12 undergraduate and three graduate majors are available. A variety of courses are offered including addictions and mental health. The lease has been signed for another year, although the campus will relocate to the city location.

Giant became a topic of controversy last year when county leaders expressed an interest in acquiring it. A prerelease center, which would be for nonviolent offenders, or warehousing were among the possible uses by the county. Those with drug, alcohol or mental health concerns could have obtained treatment at the center.

Schuylkill County Commissioners’ Chairman Barron Boots Hetherington said the new use has “unlimited possibilities” for the area.

In addition, Cynthia Mensch, director of Alvernia University Schuylkill Campus; Glynis Fitzgerald, provost and senior vice president of Alvernia; and Rodney Ridley, vice president, interim dean of the College of STEAM and chief operating officer O’Pake institute for Economic Development & Entrepreneurship, Alvernia University; state Sen. David Argall; Robert Carl, president and chief executive officer of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce; and Savas Logothetides, owner of the Wheel restaurant and executive director of the Pottsville Development Corp., spoke.

Other community leaders also attended.

Argall said bringing Alvernia to the city benefits all.

“This is a day that will literally change people’s lives,” he said.

Carl agreed.

“It truly is a great day in Schuylkill County and the city of Pottsville. As the city of Pottsville goes, so does the county of Schuylkill.”

Logothetides expressed appreciation for the commitment by the university.

“Alvernia picked Pottsville. We couldn’t be happier that they did,” he said.