The city of Aberdeen announced some news Wednesday afternoon that can lead to something positive from within a large piece of property in South Aberdeen.

Pinnacle MOD Seattle and the city of Aberdeen “received some good news” by Gary McLean, a hearings examiner, who approved the company’s conditional use permit. The permit, according to a city of Aberdeen news release allows them to “operate a modular building assembly plant in the former South Shore Mall.”

“Pinnacle eventually plans to convert and occupy all 280,000 square feet of the former shopping center to fabricate, manufacture and process materials for the purpose of assembling modular buildings,” the news release states. “Pinnacle has also committed to setting aside part of their 31 acres for future development of mixed-use housing and commercial development.”

Aberdeen Mayor Doug Orr said the news makes for “an exciting day for the city of Aberdeen.”

“Our city is headed in the right direction because we are welcoming new industry and creating jobs for our community,” the news release states. “This is exactly what our city needed.”

What is Pinnacle MOD Seattle?

Pinnacle is a “modular building production arm of NetZero Development,” the news release states.

Charles Cheung, CEO of NetZero and governor of Pinnacle MOD Seattle, LLC., spoke about this project becoming real.

“We appreciate all the support we’ve received so far from Aberdeen city management to make this project a reality,” Cheung said, according to the release. “We are committed to working closely with the great people of Aberdeen and Grays Harbor to make sure this project will be a long-term success. We want to make sure this project will contribute to the long-term benefits of local communities.”

Long-term success

Once the facility’s at “full capacity” it’s projected to produce “over one million square feet of completed modular building units annually.” The production will create “over 300 jobs” for the local economy.

“There are many cities across the nation that are struggling to figure out what to do with their empty malls,” said Lisa Scott, the city’s community development director. “We are so grateful Charles and his team found us and have been great throughout this whole process.”

For more information, contact Ruth Clemens, Aberdeen’s city administrator, at rclemens@aberdeenwa.gov or call 360-537-3233.

Contact Reporter Matthew N. Wells at matthew.wells@thedailyworld.com.