College Heights Association

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Hi All,

With more students back in town, the fall is heating up! Council met for a work session and a regular meeting in the last two weeks. Here's a recap. As always, I am sending this in my individual capacity and not sending it on behalf of the full Council as an official report.

At the Work Session, Council reviewed the earlier presented options for the future of the McAllister Deck (2-year and 8-year plan) and Pugh Street Garage (4-year and 10-year plan). The main issue of discussion was whether Council preferred to extend the life of the parking structures or choose to plan for a new parking structure within the next 4 years. Consensus was reached regarding Council's preference to extend the life of the garages until 8 and 10 years of McAllister Deck and Pugh Street respectively. That would allow for more time and flexibility for planning of the construction of a new structure (which would likely be constructed at the McAllister Deck site location). Next steps will include firming up annual maintenance costs to keep McAllister and Pugh alive and well until year 8 and year 10, which will come in budget presentations later. Preliminary estimates were given back in June that extending McAllister for 8 years would cost $637K over the period of time, and extending Pugh for 10 years would cost $1.9 million over that decade. This, if broken down per parking space per year, equates to $365 per space/year for McAllister and $387 per space/year for Pugh.

Next up, Jonathan Risley, the Assistant Chief of Emergency Management, presented the 2025 Centre County Hazard Mitigation Plan, which passed unanimously at the later regular session. This is a countywide plan that anticipates for and provides guidance to minimize losses during any and all emergencies and hazards that could come our way. A requirement from FEMA, this plan was paid for by a grant obtained by the County government -- neither State College nor any of the Centre Region municipalities had to contribute a cent to this plan, but we all benefit. Input from all municipalities was received to help build a comprehensive plan, and sign off from each is helpful so that the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency can review and approve it as well. There were different areas discussed, ranging from cyber insurance recommendations to other highlighted mitigation practices. The 500 page document is available for review online.

At the regular meeting, Council held a public hearing and then unanimously passed an amendment to allow for a change in expenditures of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. As the project to install streetlights and make pedestrian improvements along Waupelani Drive requires some more site location environmental review, staff proposed that $130K of the $191,003.50 originally granted for that project be shifted to a similar project for streetlights and pedestrian improvements along Garner Street downtown. This work will be done by Borough staff, and CDBG funds can be spent on labor costs like this. The remaining $61,003.50 will be shifted towards a project at Out of the Cold, which will help expand the sprinkler system to accommodate more unhoused individuals during emergency times (when the temps drop below 25 degrees). The goals for Centre Safe and Out of the Cold will also be updated to reflect numbers that are more on par with actual annual usage (115 persons and 100 persons).

Council then heard an update from the Nittany Performing Arts Centre project. The project team proposes to construct a multi-story performing arts theatre and parking deck at the site where the Pugh Street Garage currently is. Supported by several performing arts organizations in the area, the building would come with a price tag of more than $135 million, the funding for which would not include SCB taxpayer dollars. With the consensus around extending the lifetime of the Pugh Street Garage, some Councilmembers asked NPAC about alternative site locations, which could be explored.

Finally, the Consent Agenda passed unanimously:

• Payroll for August 2025
• Road Closures/Adjustments/Uses for Special Events
  • Friday, Aug. 29 from 3:15pm to 9:45pm: approval for the use of Sidney Friedman Park for the Latinfest Fundraising Event
  • Friday, Sept. 12 from 5pm to 8pm: approval for the use of Sidney Friedman Park for SCASD Kindergarten Night
  • Friday, Sept. 19 from 5:15pm to 10:45pm: closure of Westview Avenue for the Westview Avenue College Heights Block Party
  • Fri. 9/19 from 4pm to 9pm and Sat. 9/20 from 6am to 7pm: closure of Fraser Street from College Ave. to the Garage entrance and approval for the use of the MLK Jr. Plaza for the Latin Festival
  • Saturday Sept. 20 from 9:45am to 2:45am: various road restrictions/usage along Blue Course and near the West Fairmount neighborhood for the Community Bike Ride 
  • Sunday, Sept. 21 from 3:15pm to 9:45pm: closure of parts of Holly Alley and High Street for the East Highlands Annual Block Party
  • Saturday, Oct. 4 from 6am to 7pm (roads) and 9am to 4pm (plaza): closure of nearby roads and approval for the use of the Bill Welch Plaza for the Downtown Improvement District's Fall Festival
  • Saturday, Oct. 18 from 7:45am to 3:45pm: use of sidewalks along University Drive, Waupelani Drive and Allen Street for the State College Friends School Fun Fair and 5K
  • Saturday, Oct. 18 from 10am to 6pm: use of nearby roads and approval for the use of Sidney Friedman Park for the 2025 An Enchanted Stroll Event
  • Thursday, June 4, 2026: approval for the use of Sidney Friedman Park for rehearsal and Friday, June 5, 2026: approval for the use of Sidney Friedman Park and closure of nearby roads for the State High Graduation
    • Rain dates: 6/6/2026 and 6/7/2026
• Declaring a seat on the LGBTQ+ Advisory Commission vacant (Araya Baker)

C-NET's coverage of the work session can be viewed: 8/11/25 State College Borough Council Work Session; while their coverage of the regular meeting can be accessed here: 8/18/25 State College Borough Council.

Thank you for reading and for the opportunity to serve and represent you!

Best,

Josh Portney