AutoZone to build store on Allegheny Township theater site

An AutoZone store will be built in Allegheny Plaza on the former site of movie theaters.

Allegheny Township supervisors Monday night approved a site plan presented by the auto parts chain.

It calls for demolition of the theater building and construction of an AutoZone store by October.

Rosen Associates Management of Jericho, N.Y., owns the plaza. AutoZone will lease its space for 20 years.

The new business will employ 20 people on two shifts, including two management positions, according to Supervisors Chairman Kathy Starr.

The plan calls for AutoZone to substitute green space for some paved areas in the plaza. It would include landscaping on the bank leading down to Route 56.

The theater building housed Cinemas I, II and III, operated by Carmike Cinemas. The cinemas opened in the summer of 1977 and closed in January 2008.

In other business:

• Work has begun on constructing a new Copeland Road Bridge. The old bridge is closed. The township road crew is building the bridge, which is expected to be completed in about 10 weeks.

The township has budgeted $36,000 for the work, but officials are uncertain whether it will cover the cost of the new bridge