6-Story Student Housing Development Planned for West College Avenue

Even the economic downturn and reduced number of Penn State students currently on campus isn’t stopping plans for more student housing, as Ferguson Township has received plans for a new six-story development at West College Avenue and Buckhout Street.

The topic was discussed during an Aug. 24 Ferguson Township planning meeting. Township Community Planner Kristina Aneckstein said the proposed West College Avenue student housing development looks to consolidate five lots owned by Scott and Glenda Yocum to make a 1.136-acre parcel. Aspen Heights Partners is listed as developer on the plan for a multi-use building with commercial and retail space on the first floor.

The plan for the building includes two subsurface floors of underground parking with 159 parking spaces. The five floors of residential apartments above the commercial first floor will include 96 residential units with 268 beds.

The proposed development is on the south side of West College Avenue at Buckhout Street, with access to the parking deck on Calder Way. There will be no direct access from College Avenue or Buckhout Street. 

Aneckstein told The Gazette that no timeline for construction or anticipated date of occupancy was included in the application for review, nor was a price point of the rental units included.

Aneckstein said the plans were received by Ferguson Township on Aug. 17 and are currently being reviewed by township engineers, storm water engineers, the township’s Tree Commission, Centre Regional Planning Agency, the county planning office, State College Borough Water Authority, University Area Joint Authority, the township solicitor and other municipal staff.

When staff agrees that the plan meets the township code of ordinances, it will be presented to the Ferguson Township Planning Commission for review.

If the commission approves the plan, it will make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

This review process has a 90-day window with an option to extend it should corrections to the plan be necessary.

The land is partially in State College Borough, and Aneckstein said the borough is currently reviewing the plans as well. About 1,100 square feet of the 29,500 square feet ground floor would be within the borough. The upper five floors and all of the residential units would be entirely in Ferguson Township.