Community members upset over the proposed opening of a Hooters Restaurant in State College were satisfied last week when the project manager announced he would no longer pursue the project.

Jeff Haas, the project manager, made an announcement to discontinue the plans and development for a Hooters Restaurant that would have replaced Pennsylvania Pizza, the Bottle Shop, and the John Henry's Neighborhood Bar, 538 E. College Ave.

In a press release, Haas said although he put a lot of time and money into the project, he does not want to go against the community's wishes.

"The State College area community has spoken loudly over the last several months," Haas said in the press release.

Haas refused any further comment.

Many residents and students alike were surprised and pleased with Haas's decision.

"I am pleased with the outcome," Jackie Melander, Planning Commission member, said.

Melander said from the beginning, Borough Council President Janet Knauer expressed a community endorsement against the project.

"This is definitely more attractive for the community," she said.

Although Melander is pleased with the decision, she said if the developer had decided to go along with the plans, he would have been allowed to build despite community opposition.

"It would have been difficult for it not to have occurred because it met all of the ordinances," she said.

However, Melander said she is glad the developer listened to the community's opposition and made a good decision.

The Center for Women Students, who opposed the restaurant since news of its proposed location was announced, was also pleased with Haas's decision.

"It was a surprise because although I think the concerns were real and universal, we kept hearing there was nothing that could be done," Peggy Lorah, assistant director for the Center for Women Students, said.

Chloe Casella (graduate-counseling and psychology), a member of the Center for Women Students, had been heavily involved in opposing the restaurant.

"Now we won't have to have people's bodies and minds degraded downtown by a local business," Casella said.

She is glad Haas considered the community's opposition, but was still surprised he decided to discontinue his plans.

"All we were fighting was the outdoor patio. We didn't expect the whole restaurant to pull out," she said.

Casella is pleased the voices of the community were heard.

"There were a small number of voices, but these voices represented the opinions of the community," she said.

However, not everyone is pleased with the decision.

"I can't see why they did it. Hooter's doesn't seem like a big deal to me," Barry Leonard (junior-journalism) said.

He said Hooters is nothing more than good food and good drinks. The women who work there choose to work there, he added.

"I would go there to eat, not necessarily to go in and say 'Wow, look at her,' " Leonard said.