MONROEVILLE, Pennsylvania — In 1969, when the Monroeville Mall opened to much fanfare in the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh, downtown businesses, as well as government and civic leaders, understood what the impact would be on the city’s commercial core. Shoppers would rush to enjoy free parking, less congestion, and a shopping experience all in one massive enclosed climate-controlled expanse.
No more dodging raindrops and slushy snow puddles in between stores blocks from each other, being inconvenienced by antiquated early closing hours that matched the business crowd’s commute out of the city at 5:00 p.m., or paying astronomical parking rates in city-run garages.
There was even an ice skating rink that drew hundreds of teenagers to that mall every weekend…