West Mifflin leaders end meeting without decision on condemning Century III Mall
WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. (KDKA) — West Mifflin leaders wrapped up their meeting without making a decision on whether to condemn the Century III Mall.
At Wednesday's meeting, a structural engineer who inspected the mall on June 6 said part of the structure is in imminent danger of collapse. He said it's dilapidated and distressed and water is leaking through the roof.
A code enforcement officer said an inspection last week found evidence of vandalism, mold and areas where trespassers can enter. Earlier this month, a teenager fell through the roof of the mall and was hospitalized.
The West Mifflin chief of police told KDKA-TV conditions are so bad he will only let his officers enter under life or death circumstances. He added that since February 2019, there have been 177 calls, including trespassing, vandalism, destruction and a maintenance worker reporting a person shooting a gun inside.
"It appears there's no way to stop them from entering this mall," Chief Greg McCulloch said. "They find a way, whether they're on the roof, they're finding vents to climb down into, they're ripping doors off."
Council Member Dan Davis said he expects the council to approve the condemnation of the mall when it votes in July.
The once-popular mall started crumbling in 2012 and became vacant in 2019.
"I believe it's a hazard to the health safety and welfare of this community," said Walter Anthony, the community development director of West Mifflin.
A lawyer for Moonbeam Capital, the current owners of the mall, had a structural engineer testify that he did a visual inspection inside and outside. The lawyer said the engineer said the building is structurally sound except for the part of the recent fire.
As of now, Moonbeam is facing more than $80,000 in fines for code violations. The company's COO testified that cleanup inside the mall ended last year when the graffiti became too much to keep up with.
He said the company is working with a potential buyer and they are close to selling it.
"We've had a number of potential buyers for this property," COO Shawl Pryor Sr. said. "We've had a number of property conceptual concepts for redevelopment and it was our plan that this mall may be demolished."
Davis said the borough knows nothing about a potential buyer. West Mifflin needs about $10 to $15 million to demolish it.