Members of the State College Borough Council reviewed plans for downtown's future during a work session last night.

The ten-year Downtown Vision and Strategic Plan was created to provide guidance to make State College the cultural and social center of the community for years to come.

"I think we've moved a long way to gain support for this," said Downtown State College Steering Committee Chairman Jeff Kern.

Council members discussed ways to bring residents back to downtown, an area dominated by students.

Significant changes suggested as solutions included creating small parking structures and satellite parking close to downtown to alleviate parking snarls and bring more people into the area. On weekends, Allen Street would be designated as a pedestrian mall with a farmers' market.

Proposed reconfiguration of travel lanes on Beaver Avenue would reduce the speed of cars and allow for more pedestrian traffic.

In addition, new zoning ordinances would make it possible for taller buildings in the downtown area.

This proposal met with some resistance.

"I worry about passing something that puts big tall buildings next to the Tavern [restaurant]," said council member Tom Daubert.

"Tall is not ugly, ugly is ugly," said council member Richard McCarl.

Local residents in attendance expressed a fear that the downtown area would become a student ghetto.

"State College is defined by being close to Penn State. We will remain a student-centered place," Kern said.

The final version of the plan will be open for public discussion during the Feb. 3 Borough Council meeting.