“I’m just so sad. It’s a sad day,” said Melissa Goonetilleke.Demolition is officially underway at the Century III Mall as crews Saturday knocked down parts of the parking garage. Demolition was originally set to begin Monday, five years after the mall’s closure. The mall was closed in 2019 and received charges for causing risk and catastrophe and was condemned by the borough. It’s something the mayor says he’s glad is happening. “It’s a great step forward. I’m just looking forward to it just being off our radar,” said Mayor Christopher Kelly.Mayor Kelly tells Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that the initial demolition is starting on the parking garage, which he calls massive in itself. Once that is completed, the mall itself will be next. But the borough has run into some trouble after the permit for the mall demolition was rejected by the health department. Kelly estimates the entire project will take years. “They have to have a remediation plan in place and resubmit it as the abatement of toxic or carcinogens in the property itself,” said Kelly.For those in the area who grew up in the mall and made memories there say, it’s hard to see demolition actually beginning. And even the younger generation are now saying there really is nothing for them either. “It’s so close to my house, and now all the malls are so far. There’s nowhere to hang out,” said Hailee Goonetilleke.But as sad as some people are to see so the site of so many of their memories be knocked down, others say they are glad demolition is finally beginning. “It’s an eyesore. They need to put something there that’ll help the community bring in more money,” said Kristina Ciehenoski.The demolition has only begun on the parking garage. It is still unknown when the demolition on the actual mall building will begin.
“I’m just so sad. It’s a sad day,” said Melissa Goonetilleke.
Demolition is officially underway at the Century III Mall as crews Saturday knocked down parts of the parking garage. Demolition was originally set to begin Monday, five years after the mall’s closure. The mall was closed in 2019 and received charges for causing risk and catastrophe and was condemned by the borough. It’s something the mayor says he’s glad is happening.
“It’s a great step forward. I’m just looking forward to it just being off our radar,” said Mayor Christopher Kelly.
Mayor Kelly tells Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that the initial demolition is starting on the parking garage, which he calls massive in itself. Once that is completed, the mall itself will be next. But the borough has run into some trouble after the permit for the mall demolition was rejected by the health department.
Kelly estimates the entire project will take years.
“They have to have a remediation plan in place and resubmit it as the abatement of toxic or carcinogens in the property itself,” said Kelly.
For those in the area who grew up in the mall and made memories there say, it’s hard to see demolition actually beginning. And even the younger generation are now saying there really is nothing for them either.
“It’s so close to my house, and now all the malls are so far. There’s nowhere to hang out,” said Hailee Goonetilleke.
But as sad as some people are to see so the site of so many of their memories be knocked down, others say they are glad demolition is finally beginning.
“It’s an eyesore. They need to put something there that’ll help the community bring in more money,” said Kristina Ciehenoski.
The demolition has only begun on the parking garage. It is still unknown when the demolition on the actual mall building will begin.
Source
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