N orthern P ennsylvania
M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal — Northern Pennsylvania — June 8 - 21, 2018 — 7C
www.marejournal.com
3,200 New Jobs Coming to the Poconos Pocono Springs Village set to transform Pennsylvania
OBYHANNA TWP., PA — A $350 million Entertainment Desti- nation Village is in the final stages of conceptual develop- ment in Tobyhanna Twp. The Pocono Springs Entertain- ment Village is a joint venture between JEMB Realty of New York and Denver-based Al- berta Development Partners, who are announcing a project that will become one of the largest entertainment desti- nation development projects underway in North America. Pocono Springs will gener- ate over 1,200 new jobs and nearly 2,000 construction jobs in Phase 1 with a possibility of additional future phases. It is anticipated that nearly five million new visitors to the region are expected to visit the village annually. “I am incredibly pleased that Pocono Springs Enter- tainment Village is coming to our region,” noted Senator Mario Scavello (R-Monroe/ Northampton). “Millions of tourists visit our region each year, spending dollars that support many local busi- nesses. Pocono Springs En- tertainment Village will bring new jobs, further diversify the attractions the Poconos has to offer, and grow our local economy. Further, the outstanding entertainment venues offered will provide unique experiences right here in our community,” Scavello said upon the announcement. Features of Pocono Springs Entertainment Village in- clude buildings designed to blend with the region’s his- toric character and charm with nearly 600,000 s/f of destination, entertainment- based anchor retailers in- cluding a 90,000 s/f aquari- um, themed restaurants, and a helium balloon ride. “Promoting our great quali- ty of life through the thought- ful creation of a new enter- tainment village helps create jobs, stimulate our regional economy, and celebrate the uniqueness of the Poconos,” noted Rep. Jack Rader (R- Monroe). T
The transformative en- tertainment village will be unique to Pennsylvania by embracing the natural beau- ty of the Pocono region while featuring engaging public venues in a rustic setting that blends recreational, dining, and entertainment venues with hiking and biking trails, complete with bike share and environmentally responsible trolley shuttles. “We couldn ’ t be more pleased to build Pocono Springs, a 21st-century en- tertainment, retail and din- ing destination, with national entertainment venues as partners in the birthplace of the quintessential American vacation – the Poconos,” said
Bryan McFarland, princi- pal at Alberta Development Partners. “The Poconos are a short 3-hour drive from where over 44 million Ameri- cans live and work – it only makes sense to build them a place to play and stay right here.” The project will include mature landscaping with a signature tree grove anchor- ing a nearly five-acre multi- use public park and open space at the very core of the village. Each night, a unique show with dramatic inter- active water fountains will entertain hourly and serve as a public engagement space throughout the year. “The Board of Supervisors
and our entire community is excited to welcome this transformative project that embraces the beauty of the Pocono Region while creat- ing thousands of new jobs through destination enter- tainment-based economic development. We also are partnering with a developer that is committed to ensure that Pocono Springs em- braces the natural beauty of our region while respon- sibly being stewards of our outstanding resources,” said Tobyhanna Township man- ager John J. Jablowski, Jr. The $350 million destina- tion, planned to open dur- ing summer 2021 will be adjacent to the 977-room
Kalahari Convention Center Hotel and Waterpark, the largest indoor waterpark in the country, which itself draws over one million visi- tors per year. Tobyhanna Township is located at the geographic heart of the Pocono Plateau of Pennsylvania and is home to many historic villages including Blakeslee, Pocono Pines, Pocono Lake and Po- cono Summit. The 54 square mile township is at the cen- ter of a growing residential, business, and recreational community serving as one of the principal destination entertainment locations in the United States.
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