Century III Mall Condemnation Hearing Approaches

WEST MIFFLIN, PA — A condemnation hearing will occur next week that could be lead to the eventual razing of the abandoned Century III Mall.

Borough officials have scheduled the hearing for June 14 in council chambers. Testimony will be taken from the building inspector and any affected property owner as to the dilapidated and unsafe condition of the building. The findings then will be forwarded to borough council for recommendations and potential actions.

The hearing will occur less than two weeks after a June 2 incident in which a teen was severely injured after falling through the roof of the building while trespassing. The Skyview Volunteer Fire Company, which assisted West Mifflin police in rescuing the teen, posted a warning of the mall's dangers on its Facebook page

"We cannot emphasize it enough, this property is unsafe and a hazard to your health," the fire company post stated. "Please, you absolutely must stay off the property. Your curiosity is not worth you getting injured. Please stay away."

In April, a fire broke out on the third floor of the mall in the old recruiting station. No injuries occurred, but multiple fire companies needed several hours to extinguish the blaze, which West Mifflin police Chief Greg McCulloch said likely was deliberately set.

Once one of the largest malls in the world, Century III's interior closed in 2019. J.C. Penney, which had an exterior entrance, was the mall's last remaining store; it went out of business in 2020.

Since then, squatters and drug activity have been reported in the mall's derelict ruins. Authorities have advised people against breaking into the graffiti-strewn building, which has mold, pooled water and no power.