Supervisors Hear Details on New Military Commissary

Construction on a new 43,000-square foot military commissary in Moon could begin as early as this summer. 

Patrick Early, manager of Allegheny County Economic Development, spoke before the township Board of Supervisors about the project Wednesday night. He said the new facility, which will function as a grocery store and exchange post, will serve military personnel throughout the region. 

Nearly 163,000 military personnel are located within a 100-mile radius of Moon, Earley said. 

The economic development agency has been commissioned by the U.S. Defense Department to develop the facility.  Earley said construction on the building will take roughly 18 months. 

When completed, the facility, which will be located on the corner of University Boulevard and the Interstate 376 Business Loop, will be the only commissary of its kind located between Carlisle and Dayton, OH. 

Because the building is a military facility, developers do not have to comply with township zoning codes, according to township planning director Adam McGurk. 

Other items of interest at the meeting: 

• Supervisor Frank Sinatra questioned Township Manager Jeanne Creese's residency status in Beaver County. Creese said she has been unable to sell her home since taking office as manager three years ago. Chairman Jim Vitale said the matter was appropriate for discussion in an executive session only. 
• The board approved a preliminary major land development plan application for a proposed Pennsylvania Army National Guard maintenance shop to be located on the guard's current base. 
• The board approved moving the time of monthly workshop meetings to 6 p.m. Regular meetings will still begin at 7 p.m.
• Residents of Greenlea Drive expressed concern to the board about reports that a Fairweather Lodge will open on the residential street. Fairweather Lodges house and rehabilitate people with severe mental illness. McGurk said the facility has not applied for a permit to open in Moon.
• The board announced that the Department of Parks and Recreation will begin taking reservations for shelters in Moon Park on Feb. 14. Reservations can be made at the township municipal building.