Suncrest mall on former tribal burial site

Suncrest Town Centre, a Granville mall with more than 80 stores that borders Morgantown, sits on a former Monongahela tribe sacred burial ground.

The excavated remains were given to members of the Seneca tribe in New York, the Monongahela tribe’s  traditional enemy.

Morgantown resident Sylvia Straight donated the land to West Virginia University years ago, to be used as an archaeological site.

More than 10 years ago, Wal-Mart wanted to build a $15 million mega-store on the land but backed out of the deal when Wal-Mart learned it was an ancient Native American burial ground.

WVU sold the land for $1.55 million in 2001 to CMC Company, owned by David and Richard Biafora.

In 2003 the Biaforas sold the land to Gateway Towne Centre, which also acquired adjoining land for $1.73 million.

Gateway excavated the Monongahela tribe’s remains and shipped them to the Senaca tribe.

To read the WVU Journalism School article, go to http://mountaineernewsservice.com/native-american-burial-site-bulldozed-over-for-suncrest-towne-centre/