'Tesla of go karts' opens in Monroeville Mall

Racers can begin whizzing by checkered flags at speeds upward of 40 miles per hour today, as the area’s first all-electric go-kart track opens in Monroeville Mall. Located between SAS Shoes and Mr. Nice Guy Games near the Burlington Coat Factory, Steel City Karts has taken over a former Dick’s Sporting Goods to provide grand-prix style racing and entertainment.

Call it the “Tesla of go-karts,” as each electric car runs entirely off a charge. Charging stations are located in the track’s pit area. While the 500-pound, European-built cars are expensive — each cost several thousand dollars — they are the safest in the world, owner John Gongas said.

“The last thing people want to be doing is smelling like gas and then trying to go to a movie,” Mr. Gongas said.

Steel City Karts, which employs about 20 people, may give customers reasons to seek out the mall. A series of incidents last year ranging from a shooting to a wild college party at a restaurant that has since closed hurt the shopping center’s reputation. An increased focus on safety — the mall installed a state-of-the-art surveillance system that covers the grounds 24 hours a day — and on new forms of entertainment could help draw people back.

Built in 1969, the mall houses more than 100 stores. Cinemark Monroeville Mall was recently renovated, as were other amenities at the mall. Areas of the parking lot are being resurfaced by mall owner CBL & Associates, a Chattanooga, Tenn., company.

“I think all of that shows the company has a commitment to Monroeville Mall,” said Sean Phillips, regional marketing director, adding that the goal is to be a sort of town square and a gathering place for the community.

New entertainment options such as the 64,000-square-foot Steel City Karts could add energy to the mall’s makeover. Research shows that shoppers around the country like having entertainment options, said Mr. Phillips.

“I love this location,” said Mr. Gongas, 26.

Mr. Gongas picked the mall because of its proximity to the Parkway East and to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, its central location in a diverse community and its forward outlook for revilitization. The building’s structure was also key. The poles have to be wide enough apart for a 24-foot track to swivel through.

There are electric car tracks across the country, including in Boston; Columbus, Ohio; and Cleveland. While there are other go-kart venues in the Pittsburgh area, Steel City Karts is the first that’s both indoor and electric. Mr. Gongas expects a range of people to frequent his track, from executives at corporate events to teenagers at birthday parties. He anticipates his core demographic will be 18 to 35 years old.

Plans are in the works to add a mobile app for racers to track their progress and compete with others. The facility also offers three conference rooms and video games.

A native of Bethel Park, Mr. Gongas worked at a go-kart facility in high school. After he graduated from Dayton University, he spent time in IT consulting with firms such as Deloitte and Ernst & Young. But every couple of years, he considered quitting his job and starting a business.

When he realized Pittsburgh didn’t have indoor electric go-karts, he decided to seek a loan and location.

“My wife and I talked about it. We said, ‘Let’s roll, let’s give it a shot.’”

He hopes Pittsburghers will embrace the concept. “It will take some time to educate people, but we’re hoping to give them a good thrill.”

The project, which cost slightly under $2 million, began in January.

Matthew Gutierrez: mgutierrez@post-gazette.com or 412-263-3852.