It's been a badly kept secret for much of the last year. But now it's official: Target is headed for East Liberty.

The retailer plans to open a two-level store at Penn Avenue and Penn Circle South in the fall of 2010, Ernie Hogan, deputy director of East Liberty Development Inc., said yesterday. City planning commission members will be briefed on the development at their meeting next week.

"We're excited about it. It's going to be a great opportunity for the neighborhood, creating 240 jobs," Mr. Hogan said.

The East Liberty store will be different than many of its suburban counterparts in that it will be two levels. The first level will provide parking for about 475 vehicles and feature a glass entry with escalators or elevators. There also will be an escalator for carts.

The 156,000-square-foot store will be a full-service Target. It marks the latest addition to the booming East Liberty commercial corridor, which features a Home Depot, a Borders bookstore, and a Whole Foods Market. Also, three new hotels are in the works.

"I think East Liberty is following its mantra, which is to become the East End regional shopping district," Mr. Hogan said.

He said that Target officials liked the strong residential base and population density in the area, as well as the nearby East Busway. East Liberty officials are working with the Port Authority and the Mosites Co. on an integrated transit-oriented development in the area.

Target officials could not be reached for comment.

The new store will be the anchor for the proposed 4.75-acre Eastside V development at Penn and Penn Circle South.

Before construction can begin, Mosites and East Liberty Development plan to demolish the vacant Penn Circle apartment building and acquire two commercial structures at the site.

The city Urban Redevelopment Authority has authorized a $6.4 million bridge loan from the Pittsburgh Development Fund to help with site acquisition and preparation.