The owner of an abandoned and dilapidated mall in Pennsylvania has not paid the levied $150,000 fine

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The owner of the Century III Mall in West Mifflin, Allegheny County, has failed to comply with a court order to pay a $150,000 fine for safety violations. Back in October, Common Pleas Judge Thomas E. Flaherty imposed this penalty on Moonbeam Capital due to three significant code violations: unsafe structures, sanitation issues, and rampant weed growth.

Despite being given 60 days to either appeal the ruling or pay the fine, Moonbeam Capital did neither, as reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and KDKA. Additionally, the company has not addressed any of the safety hazards identified.

Brian Kamauf, the borough manager, expressed his frustration with the situation to the Post-Gazette. He mentioned that local officials are considering various options to resolve the issue, including potentially putting the mall up for a sheriff's sale or placing a lien on the property. A decision is expected to be made soon due to the urgency of the matter.

The mall, which spans 1.1 million square feet, has become increasingly hazardous. In April 2023, a fire led to the collapse of a section of the roof. By July, the West Mifflin borough council had voted to condemn the building, citing problems such as black mold and broken glass.

The dilapidated mall has also become a danger to trespassers. In June, a teenage boy fell through the roof and was hospitalized. The same month, four individuals were charged for filming a YouTube video on the premises. In November, another YouTuber faced charges for trespassing in the mall.

This ongoing situation highlights the challenges faced by communities when dealing with abandoned and unsafe properties, especially those that pose a public safety risk. The failure of Moonbeam Capital to address these issues has intensified the urgency for local officials to find a viable solution.