Alvernia University has signed an agreement to purchase the former Giant store in Pottsville.

“The university will hold an official announcement event at the site on (11 a.m.) Thursday, July 1,” Kristopher Nolt, director of communications for Alvernia University, said Monday.

Alvernia University President John Loyack did not return an email for comment.

Edward Silvera, president of Surrey Equities LLC which owns the property along with Winstanley Enterprises LLC, said he could not comment.

“We welcome them with open arms. We are very excited,” Pottsville Mayor James T. Muldowney said.

He said a payment in lieu of taxes for the property is a possibility. Nothing is finalized, he said.

Giant became a topic of controversy last year when county leaders expressed an interest in acquiring the former store at 500 Progress Ave., which closed July 9 after underperforming. It had been open for more than 30 years.

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.

City, local and state officials said the site is important for the revitalization of the city and objected to the county buying it.

The Schuylkill Center, located at the Cressona Mall, has been at its current site for 12 years. In all, 12 undergraduate and three graduate majors are available. Courses in addictions and mental health, early childhood education, health care, accounting and other courses are offered.

The lease has been renewed for one more year, although the campus will relocate to the site, Nolt said.

Cynthia Mensch, Schuylkill Campus Director, said between 100 to 150 students attend the Cressona site full-time.

“We’ve been doing really well here in Schuylkill County,” she said.

She said the move is a “win-win” for the area and a “boost” for the revitalization of downtown Pottsville.

Savas Logothetides, executive director of the Pottsville Area Development Corp., agreed.

“Alvernia is going to be a great partner in continued revitalization. They are going to be an asset to the community, and we are super excited to have them. It shows you the positive trajectory that we are on when a college is willing to make this type of investment in our community,” Logothetides said.

State Sen. David Argall, R-29, said the campus relocating to the city is “tremendous news not just for the people of Pottsville but for all of Schuylkill County. Anytime you have college classes in a downtown setting it is very helpful in bringing new life in these old buildings,” he said.

Argall introduced a bill last year, which passed the Senate, that would prohibit a fourth-class county from buying a 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. He did so because of the interest of the county in Giant.

The bill was reintroduced this year, however, Argall said the point is now moot.

“There will be no need for my bill to move any further,” he said.

Commissioners Barron “Boots” Hetherington and George Halcovage Jr. voted to authorize County Administrator Gary Bender to make an offer on the property in September. Commissioner Gary Hess voted no. He said the property was better suited to revitalization efforts of the city.

Bender and Hetherington did not return calls for comment. Glenn Roth, first assistant solicitor, referred comments to Bender.

Hess said Alvernia acquiring Giant is “a positive thing for Pottsville. It’s going to create foot traffic in the downtown area.”