Local, state, and community leaders gathered Thursday morning to break ground on the Broadcasting District, a $350 million mixed-use development planned across from Broadcasting Square Shopping Plaza, home to Target, Weis, and Wawa.
The project will transform a 100-acre parcel of former farmland along Paper Mill Road into a vibrant destination that combines shopping, dining, housing, and public gathering spaces. Developers describe it as one of the largest private investments in Berks County in decades.
“This property was described to us as the crown jewel of the township, and it deserved a plan that reflected its status,” said Devin Tuohy of the Concordia Group, one of the project’s managing partners. “We believe the Broadcasting District will deliver the highest-quality mixed-use community in the region.”
Senator Judy Schwank praised the effort, noting that state support included more than $2.1 million in transportation grants. “This development is about more than bricks and mortar — it’s about creating opportunity,” Schwank said. “It will bring jobs, strengthen infrastructure, and spur local growth.”
Penn State Berks Chancellor Radha Pyati called the development a “tremendous game changer for Berks County and for Penn State Berks.”
“Our campus community is thrilled that this retail development and housing will be built right across from us,” Pyati said. “This is a great place for our alumni, our students, our faculty, and our staff. They’re all going to enjoy this amenity for decades to come because it enriches our lives and our community.”
Pyati added that the university looks forward to connecting its campus to the new district through pedestrian trails, further linking both sides of Route 222.
Spring Township Supervisor George Stuck emphasized that the project will bring new options to Berks County rather than pulling existing businesses from elsewhere.
“These are stores and restaurants that are brand new to this area,” Stuck said. “They’re not relocating from other parts of Berks County — they’re being added to the community. That means new opportunities, new jobs, and new reasons for people to visit Spring Township.”
He also noted that the project will deliver 775 new housing units — including apartments, condominiums, townhomes, and single-family homes — helping to meet growing demand in Berks County.
In an interview following the ceremony, Tuohy said leasing momentum has been strong, with about 85% of retail space already committed.
“Whole Foods is what’s driving the project,” Tuohy said. “They’ve signed on, along with Shake Shack, Sephora, BJ’s Brewhouse and First Watch. It’s a strong lineup for this early in the process.”
The project includes about 116,000 square feet of retail space focused on restaurants and neighborhood services. In addition, Concordia’s website notes that the development will feature a 110-room hotel.
“Our vision is a walkable, master-planned community,” Tuohy explained. “People will be able to live, shop, and dine in one place, with trails and open spaces built into the design.”
The residential component will open in phases after the retail debut, creating a steady pace of growth over several years.
Township leaders said the project will reshape one of Spring Township’s most visible corridors. With state support, private financing, and township cooperation, the Broadcasting District is expected to provide long-term economic stability.
“This is an investment in the future of Reading and Berks County,” Stuck said. “We’re taking land that has been part of our agricultural past and creating a modern community hub that will serve generations to come.”
As part of the overall site plan, developers also dedicated six acres back to the township along Paper Mill Road, where preliminary plans call for a new Spring Township library. That portion will be a separate project led by the township.
