The departure of Lancaster County Prison from the east side of Lancaster city may open a rare redevelopment possibility, community and city leaders said Wednesday, but one that comes with sizable challenges.
âObviously this is an exciting opportunity for the city and especially the east side neighborhood. Here is Lancasterâs chance to transform a critical area, historically associated with pain, into a positive asset and extension of this neighborhood,â said Marshall Snively, president of the Lancaster City Alliance, a nonprofit that promotes the cityâs growth and stability.
The potential redevelopment opportunity surfaced Wednesday when the Lancaster County Commissioners announced they hope to move the 625 E. King St. prison to a 75-acre farm in Lancaster Township along the Conestoga River. They have not discussed what would become of the old prison site should the move come to fruition.
Willow Valley Communities on Monday announced plans to develop a 20-story apartment building in downtown Lancaster, across the street from Southern Market Center.
The 244-foot-high building would be the tallest in Lancaster County, surpassing the 19-floor Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square a block away by 34 feet.
Named Willow Valley Mosaic, with an estimated cost exceeding $90 million, the upscale development would consist of 147 apartments as well as a host of resort-quality amenities for its residents, who would be ages 55 and up.
Mosaic also would include two restaurants and several small stores that would be open to the public.
Willow Valley Mosaic Amenities