The State College Planning Commission embraced some change proposed for the downtown area Thursday night – but not all of it.
The planning commission signed-off on the revised plans for The Metropolitan building. Members also expressed skepticism over a proposed design for a new Wesley Foundation building at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on East College Avenue.
To start, developer Ara Kervandjian reviewed minor modifications to his plans for The Metropolitan, a 12-story mixed-use building planned for the corner of Atherton Street and College Avenue.
“As a developer I think aesthetically this building is something that I personally am very proud of and worked through for almost three years,” says Kervandjian. “We know this is a signature location. … It’s not meant to turn this into something State College is not. I think it’s something that is going to have a great presence that can be an anchor to start something new”
The Metropolitan is expected to include three levels of underground parking, one level of retail and restaurant space, one level of office space, seven floors of student housing and two and a half floors of general occupancy housing.
Thursday’s look at the plan was the most recent in a lengthy-review process by the borough.
Commissioner Zoe Boniface says officials are watching the project closely, particularly because it is an attempt to combine student and residential housing. Other developers have an interest in creating similar properties along East College Avenue.
“What you do here is of great importance to the town,” Boniface says.
Boniface says the success of The Metropolitan will likely impact what officials decide about similar proposals.
“We are acute to all of these concerns and we’re going to do our best through our marketing capabilities … and hopefully it delivers results,” says Kervandjian.
The commission voted to endorse the plan and will forward the revised plan to borough council for approval.
Next, the commission heard for the first time proposed plans for the Wesley Foundation building between on East College Avenue between McAllister Street and Locust Lane. Church leaders want to demolish the Wesley Foundation and construct a modern and slightly larger facility.
Scott Shonk with Beers and Hoffman Architecture says the new design would make the building more suitable for the hundreds of college students who visit its café each day. The plan also features a front courtyard that goes below street level, which visitors would access through a stairway.
While the church’s members signed off on the plan, commissioners raised many concerns about its futuristic look.
Commissioner Anita Genger says the foundation building looks like an “overwhelming box” attached to the church.
“From a historical preservation standpoint, I think this is bad approach,” she says.
Commissioner Jon Eich says the church is a downtown landmark, but the proposed design for the neighboring foundation lacks the same qualities.
“I’d like to tell you what you’re doing to replace the Wesley Foundation is a landmark, but from the pictures you’ve given us it doesn’t do that for me,” he says.
Chairman Mike Roeckel agreed the proposed design is too modern for his tastes.
“I’m not wild about the building, I’m an old building fan. One of the things that makes it so in your face is the roof line changing and if you could work in some features of a roofline I think it could blend in more with the existing church,” he says.
Boniface also raised concerns about the courtyard when the café is closed.
“You need to be expecting that people are going to be walking by and we don’t want an attractive nuisance,” she says.
The commission did not take any action on the proposed design, as it was only a discussion matter.
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