The 1 million square-foot former Big Lots warehouse in Tremont Township will become an immigration detention center for 7,500 people.

At their weekly meeting Wednesday morning, Schuylkill County Commissioners Chairman Larry Padora said U.S. Congressman Dan Meuser confirmed the U.S. Government has purchased the large building, where 2,000-2,500 people will process the detainees, whose stay at the center will be between 45 to 90 days.

Because the U.S. Government is purchasing the building for approximately $189 million, Tremont Township will be losing about $195,000 in taxes annually.

Another problem, Padora said, is that the present water and sewer facilities that serve the building are inadequate to serve its new use.

Attorney Chris Reidlinger, the solicitor for Tremont Township, said while the purchase of the building has been finalized, plans for the building are unknown. Reidlinger said he contacted the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority, who told him they haven’t been contacted about the building since the sale.