A new high-rise may be making its way into downtown State College, bringing the count to five high-rises in town.

 

Collegiate Development Group is looking to build a 12-story building at the corner of West College Avenue and North Atherton Street. The look will be similar to the Metropolitan, which is under construction across the street.

 

“Any time you have that many cranes in that many big buildings going up, that’s a symbol of, a symptom of vitality in our community,” Steve Dershem, a Centre County commissioner said. 

 

Something Dershem doesn’t think is necessarily a bad thing and it’s one he doesn’t see slowing down.

 

“State College borough is finite in its boundaries, so if you can’t grow out, you have to grow up,” Dershem said. 

 

“The county is growing like gangbusters,” Mark Higgins, a Centre County commissioner said. “It’s because it’s a great place to live, there are a lot of opportunities here.”

 

CDG is looking to consolidate the seven parcels that currently sit on the 300-block of West College Avenue to build a mixed-use building with underground parking.

 

Two floors would be for non-residential use and the remaining 10 would hold multi-family housing.

 

Commissioner Higgins said Centre County is the second-fastest growing county in the state.

 

“People want to live here, there are a lot jobs, there’s a lot of vitality,” Higgins said. “A side effect of that is, we have to put these people somewhere.”

 

Some people are not as excited to see the fast-changing landscape. Commissioner Michael Pipe said borough council will have to strike a balance, but he is glad to see growth.

 

 “It’s exciting to see some of the business opportunities coming to Centre County,” Pipe said.

 

Borough council’s hearing with the planning commission has been delayed to March 6, but the group is hoping to stay on target for construction to start in the fall.