Century III Mall is lively and well. It has been reported periodically over the past few years that Century III Mall may be sold. While we do not directly comment on such speculation, what we can tell you is that it is very much business as usual there. The mall has more than 130 specialty stores and services.

Century III Mall is not only a central shopping destination, but also a community hub for unique, as well as educational events, that attract diverse visitors and shoppers from across the region.

Its sheer size makes it a popular venue for events such as the recent John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, a non-profit state-of-the-art mobile recording and multimedia studio that provides music and video education programs for young people.

On March 29. for the second year, BotsIQ will return. This educational program, created by the producers of the successful "BattleBots" television series, features homemade, remote-controlled robots in face-off competition. Thirty-two teams of students from regional high schools design, build and compete with their own robotic creations gaining practical knowledge of math, science, engineering and manufacturing.

Century III provides an ideal location for non-profit endeavors as well. The Allegheny County Department of Human Services Project Prom moved into a space on the third level. Project Prom benefits youth served by DHS, including youth who receive services through child welfare, receive metal health support, receive mental retardation services or receive any other DHS service.

Phase 4 Learning Center, an alternative high school, is located at Century III. Since its inception in 2003, Phase 4 has maintained a 100 percent graduation rate and the Middle States Schools Association cited it as "changing the regional landscape of education."

Century III Mall is located in West Mifflin, which was ranked the fifth most affordable town in America by Money magazine. West Mifflin is also making news with U.S. Steel's launch of a $1 billion capital investment program at its Clairton Works coke making plant that will create more than 600 construction jobs. And, General Motors' metal stamping plant that was slated to close last year could have a new owner and about 200 workers by March 1.

CHRISTINE JAMISON

West Mifflin

The writer is Century III's marketing manager.