The new bus terminal is a long-term project, which will cost $10 million to $20 million with a completion date expected sometime between 2009 and 2012, Goreham said. She added that the terminal will house Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA), Greyhound and Fullington bus services, as well as retail stores and possibly parking, depending on the location.

Bob Seibel, a representative for the Highlands Neighborhoods and other neighborhoods in the area, said he was opposed to the Friedman Site, mainly because of traffic concerns. He said he questions whether or not restaurant owners in the area have had time to consider the impact of the buses.

"Large buses circling just add congestion to an already choked area," he said. "The left turns made by large vehicles create problems."

Trent Seaman, a representative from Synergy Real Estate Corporation, said that Synergy's role is to aid in the process of finding an adequate site to build a new bus terminal, but the company doesn't actually take part in the decision-making process.

"We help the committee find ways to rank goals and objectives," said Allan Wampler, Synergy president. "Costs and financing further separate sites."

Wampler suggested using students' accessibility to sites as a screening process for eliminating sites that could be too inconvenient.

Paul Jovanis, a State College Borough Transportation Committee representative, said he also thought the best interests of the students should be kept in mind.

"Anything that doesn't help the students, we should kick out," he said during the meeting.

Carl Hess, State College Borough planning director, said a final decision on a location should be made by the end of this year, adding that the next step will focus on raising the money for such a large construction project.

He said the money would probably come from federal and state funding, as well as the borough and Penn State.

Goreham said that depending on the building's configuration, private funding could also be a possibility. She added that she thought the retail and the parking planning to accompany the bus terminal could improve the downtown area and have a significant economic impact.

"Our main concern is that it becomes a more desirable transportation mode for the students," she said. "It's planning for the future."

The current bus terminal on Atherton Street will be replaced by an expanded research facility for Penn State.