Development Plans For Former Parkway Center Mall
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - It was November 1982. Clothing ready for sale headed into a brand new mall that offered everything from Zayre's to Jo Ann Fabrics to Dog Hut.
The grand opening of Parkway Center Mall drew big crowds.
It was billed as a job creator. 1,000 new jobs were added when it opened, 500 more jobs later when jobs were scarce.
"I've been unemployed in the Pittsburgh area for nine months now," said one woman who was newly employed, "and now I finally have a job."
But by 2012 when Kmart left, only a remnant of the mall remained. The mall closed in January of 2013.
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But Kossman Development is looking at a combination of residential, retail and recreation. Such as a park with biking and possibly tracks to give new life to the property.
"Not only in terms of having a space to go and shop and possibly live and enjoy recreationally, but to also work and so we want to see that happening," said Pittsburgh City Councilmember Theresa Kail-Smith who represents that district.
There are challenges. The parking lot which was built on a landfill shows signs of sinkage. Plans are still being developed to address that.
The developer has yet to make its final formal presentation to the city, but talks are underway.
"It would be like bookend developments as far as I'm concerned," said Kail-Smith. "You have Bakery Square on the East End and you'd have Parkway Center Mall in the West End area."
Giant Eagle is expected to remain when the property is redeveloped. A timeline still being developed but demolition of a portion of the old mall building come by spring or summer.
