New CVS Groundbreaking Set for April 28

AdminApril 25, 2016Last Updated: April 25, 2016

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LOCK HAVEN — It took several years and a court battle for CVS developers to get the go-ahead for a new pharmacy in Lock Haven.

But final approvals came earlier this month and CVS is wasting no time in moving ahead with the project at 309-315 Bellefonte Avenue. The company announced today that a groundbreaking ceremony will be held Thursday at 11 a.m., multiple city officials scheduled to participate.

A company release said the new store is expected to open in late fall. City code officer Cyndi Walker told therecord-online today that project backers are pursuing an aggressive development plan. She said an onsite pre-demolition visit was held last week with parties involved. Walker noted CVS had been waiting for a year for a final go-ahead.

First to be done, she said, is remediation of the buildings for any asbestos removal. Once the site is cleared the state Department of Environmental Protection will be involved in any needed sub-surface remediation.

A sales agreement for the Robert and Lorrieanne Rosemier portion of the project had been signed in 2013. The long-delayed selling of the Rosemeier holdings at 311-15 Bellefonte Avenue and the Jason Roberts holdings at 309 Bellefonte Avenue was finalized in early March of this year and the transfer of deeds recorded at the Clinton County Courthouse on April 14. According to transfer information, Pennsylvania CVS Pharmacy, LLC paid $600,000 to Jason Roberts and $900,000 to Robert and Lorrieanne Rosemier, a total sale price of $1.5 million.

CVS through a Camp Hill developer had gone into court over the winter, claiming that Rosemeier and his power of attorney Stephen Poorman had failed to honor a signed sales agreement dating back several years. The court had directed that a closing for the long-delayed sale be held, a directive that Poorman had unsuccessfully appealed in March. The requested purchase price for the Rosemeier holdings had gone to $1.1 million upon Poorman’s intervention.

CVS said its new store will feature “best-in-class” pharmacy services among other offerings, including “an expanded assortment of ‘better-for-you’ grocery and snack options.”