The first $41.5-million phase of the Settlers Ridge shopping center near Pittsburgh converted a 79-acre former coal strip-mine site into a retail project and boosted the local economy.
EMJ Corp. of Dallas began the project in September 2007 and provided sitework, offsite improvements, building shells and fit-outs for smaller shops. The economic downturn altered the initial plans of Chattanooga, Tenn.-based developer CBL & Associates Properties for a lifestyle center.