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Onyx Partners says it plans to tear down Concord’s old Steeplegate Mall “as soon as possible” in order to kick off its long-awaited redevelopment plans.

The comment came from an attorney representing the company before the Concord Planning Board on May 20. Onyx must secure a new demolition permit, negotiations over which are ongoing with the city.

An Onyx representative told the board that his company plans to prioritize the construction of commercial buildings on the site, including a Costco.

The site has zoning variances in hand for 600 apartments across three buildings, which must wait on an expansion of the city’s sewer system before they would be eligible for certificates of occupancy. That includes replacing a new pump station on the mall property.

The other piece delaying the development: a lawsuit from retailer JCPenney, which accused Onyx of violating its lease via failing to work with the retailer on the development plans.

That case remains open, the Concord Monitor reports, although City Manager Tom Aspell told residents in his April State of the City speech that he had been informed of a settlement.