A new initiative offers activities for kids while encouraging support of local businesses during an ongoing road construction project in State College.
During Downtown State College Improvement District’s “Calder Way Construction Crawl,” children can get a free hard hat then collect at least five stickers from designated businesses to receive a free activity book. Accompanying parents or guardians can also enter to win a $150 Downtown Gift Card in a monthly raffle through July.
Lee Anne Jeffries, DCSID executive director, said the initiative came about as a way to turn what had been a problem during the first phase of the Calder Way project in 2024 into an opportunity.
“During the first phase of the Calder Way project, we saw how construction can impact foot traffic for our businesses,” said Lee Anne Jeffries, Executive Director of the Downtown State College Improvement District. “With the Construction Crawl, we’re turning that challenge into an opportunity, giving families a reason to come downtown, celebrate the progress on Calder Way and support the small businesses that keep our community strong.”
Kids can get their free hard hats at Growing Tree Toys, 202 S. Allen St., or the DSCID office, 127 S. Fraser St., then visit at least five of these downtown businesses to get hard hat stickers:
- Fraser Street Commons, 115 S. Fraser St.
- Signature Engraving, 119 S. Fraser St.
- Dagu Rice Noodle, 134 E. College Ave.
- Duck Donuts, 125 S. Fraser St.
- 3 Dots Downtown, 137 E. Beaver Ave.
- Evolve Studio. 326 W. Beaver Ave.
- Cuts by Christy Orso, 111 S. Allen St.
- The Nittany Quill. 111 S. Fraser St.
- Town Pride State College, 240 E. Calder Way
- Growing Tree Toys, 202 S. Allen St.
- Kitchen Kaboodle, 104 W. Beaver Ave.
- Federal Taphouse, 130 S. Fraser St.
After collecting their stickers, children can get their free activity book at the DSCID office, where parents can also enter the gift card raffle.
The crawl will last throughout the construction season for the current phase of the project, which is expected to conclude in July.
The Calder Way construction is a multi-phase project to replace utility infrastructure and create a more pedestrian- and bike-friendly corridor.
Phase 2 of the project began in early February and is taking place between South Fraser Street and South Atherton Street. Work in this phase includes replacement and improvement sanitary sewer, stormwater, water main and gas main lines, removal of any previously abandoned lines and providing provisions for electric and telecommunications lines to be moved underground.
Phase 2A is planned to take place from March through July with utility replacements at the Hetzel Street intersection, according to the project website.
State College Borough Council in October approved a $3.19 million low bid for phase two construction. The borough received a $2.75 million H2O PA grant for sewer, storm, and water improvements in phase two, and the State College Borough Water Authority is contributing $228,954 for waterline replacement.
Similar work occurred during phase one from McAllister Street to South Fraser Street, and utility replacements for the remaining segments between McAllister and South Garner streets are expected to take place in 2027.
The final piece of the project, with a date to be determined, will be streetscape improvements from Hiester Street to South Fraser Street to create a shared corridor featuring enhanced pedestrian lighting, stamped pavement, a dedicated bike lane and a welcoming public space.
State College has received multiple state and federal grants for the overall project, along with contributions from the State College Borough Water Authority for water line replacements.
