Online retailer Amazon has apparently selected the former Roomful Express warehouse in Crafton for its fulfillment & distribution center in Pittsburgh. While no one directly involved in the deal can confirm the selection, brokers involved in other space searches say that the Crafton warehouse has gone off the market. The deal is reported to be for 300,000 sq. ft.

Amazon’s decision to move to Pittsburgh doesn’t mean a ton of jobs but it puts the industry leader in online sales in this region. With online shopping expanding into all retail segments, the trend is for more regional fulfillment centers. Amazon’s CEO Mark Bezos plans to sell “everything to everyone” and is aggressively moving to one-day or same-day fulfillment. That he chose Pittsburgh is likely a sign that competitors will view this region as an expansion site.

Building automation and controls giant, Johnson Controls, is close to making a decision about the design/build team for its new $100 million office/research facility in York PA. The University of Pittsburgh is making a final selection for construction manager for the $17 million Murtha Center project at its Johnstown campus after interviewing Massaro Corp. PJ Dick and Volpatt Construction.