TOBYHANNA TOWNSHIP, PA – A $350 million Entertainment Destination Village is in the final stages of conceptual development in Tobyhanna Township. The Pocono Springs Entertainment Village is a joint venture between JEMB Realty of New York and Denver-based Alberta Development Partners, who are announcing a project that will become one of the largest entertainment destination development projects underway in North America.
Pocono Springs will generate 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 5 million new visitors to the region are expected to visit the village annually.
“I am incredibly pleased that Pocono Springs Entertainment 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 businesses. Pocono Springs Entertainment 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 include buildings designed to blend with the region’s historic character and charm with nearly 600,000 square feet of destination, entertainment-based anchor retailers including a 90,000 square foot aquarium, themed restaurants, and a helium balloon ride.
“Promoting our great quality of life through the thoughtful creation of a new entertainment village helps create jobs, stimulate our regional economy, and celebrate the uniqueness of the Poconos,” noted Rep. Jack Rader (R-Monroe).
The transformative entertainment village will be unique to Pennsylvania by embracing the natural beauty 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 entertainment, retail and dining destination, with national entertainment venues as partners in the birthplace of the quintessential American vacation – the Poconos,” said Bryan McFarland, principal at Alberta Development Partners. “The Poconos are a short 3-hour drive from where over 44 million Americans 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 anchoring 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 interactive 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 creating thousands of new jobs through destination entertainment-based economic development. We also are partnering with a developer that is committed to ensure that Pocono Springs embraces the natural beauty of our region while responsibly being stewards of our outstanding resources,”
noted Tobyhanna Township Manager John J. Jablowski, Jr.
The $350 million destination, planned to open during 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 visitors per year.
# # #
About Alberta Development Partners: Alberta Development Partners is engaged in the acquisition, development and investment of retail and residential real estate opportunities located throughout the western United States. Alberta focuses its efforts on regional retail shopping centers, mixed-use commercial and residential projects and select build-to-suit opportunities that include grocery-anchored shopping centers and value-added opportunities. Since its inception 23 years ago, Alberta has completed more than 10 million square feet of development and acquisitions. In the past four years, Alberta has delivered $460 million worth of completed projects, making Alberta one of the most aggressive retail and mixed-use development firms in the marketplace. More information is available at www.albdev.com.
About JEMB Realty Corporation
JEMB Realty Corporation is a real estate development, investment and management organization based in New York City. The firm, which has been a key player in the real estate industry since 1990, has a diverse and expanding asset base with properties throughout the United States and Canada. JEMB and its affiliates own and operate a real estate portfolio in excess of 6.5 million square feet. The company also has expanded into the energy, telecommunications and financing sectors.
Alberta Development/JEMB Realty Media Contact
Bryan McFarland
bmf@albdev.com
303-771-4004
About Tobyhanna Township
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 Pocono Summit. The 54 square mile township is at the center of a growing residential, business, and recreational community serving as one of the principal destination entertainment locations in the United States.
Tobyhanna Township Media Contact
John J. Jablowski, Jr., MPA Township Manager
jjablowski@tobyhannatwppa.gov
Office: 570-355-2226 Cell: 570-972-4890