New Investor Hoping To Revitalize Century III Mall
WEST MIFFLIN (KDKA) -- When Century III Mall opened in West Mifflin more than 30 years ago, it was one of the largest enclosed malls around. Now, it is one of the most rundown.
But a new investor has just purchased the property, and hopes to revitalize it very soon.
There are still lots of great stores out there, like Macy's, Sears, J.C.Penney's and Dick's, but Century III Mall - once this region's premier indoor mall - often looks empty and abandoned.
But help could be on the way. A Las Vegas private investment fund has just bought Century III, taking a gamble that the mall can be reenergized.
"Looking at the package, we noticed that there was huge potential and growth opportunity with this asset," said Shawl Pryor, of Moonbeam Capital Investments.
Pryor is the senior vice president of Moonbeam Capital Investments, and he has more than 20 years of experience in shopping mall management.
"Century III Mall is centrally located, highly trafficked, and one thing that doesn't change is location," Pryor said.
Pryor says shoppers will begin to see cosmetic changes soon.
"You'll see small things, and then that will escalate up to something that is much bigger as part of the revitalization of the mall," said Pryor.
For the new owners, the biggest challenge is to bring more stores and people back into Century III, a mall which after all is much, much bigger than nearby South Hills Village.
Customers have their wish list, too.
"They used to have a drug store here, and a dollar store, stuff like that; and bingo for the older people, they'd love that," said Chuck Greer.
While mall security says they've had no crime in recent years, some say better lighting outdoors and more security guards would help.
The new owners hope folks will give Century III another look.
"We want them to come back into the mall, feel welcome, and be part of this new experience of revitalization that we plan here at Century III Mall.
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