Window ‘blew out’ one day after mall was condemned

STEUBENVILLE -- One day after the Fort Steuben Mall was condemned as dangerous and unsafe, City Manager Mike Johnson reports a window at the former 3 Bad Hombres storefront "blew out."

Johnson said he's not aware of any injuries as a result of the window giving way but notes that was one of the areas of structural concern that led to the mall's closure.

"In January the building inspector's report indicated pressure on the windows was a concern," he said. "In the June follow-up visit the inspector noted the condition of the windows was worsening as cracks were now present (and) today the windows blew out. The mall is in bad shape and is unsafe, which is why the city condemned it yesterday."

With the exception of 7 Ranges Entertainment, JC Penney and Walmart, all businesses located within the mall itself were ordered to cease operations immediately. Those three businesses were exempted from the order because they each have a different roofline and all have exterior doors leading directly into the parking lot.