A recent amendment to a state law has sparked the creation of the Redevelopment Authority (RDA) that would help continue to further the development of downtown State College.

A piece of land located at the intersection of Fraser Street and Beaver Avenue was the focus of discussion by the State College Borough Council and the Downtown Improvement District (DID) at a work session last Friday.

The land will be developed as a "mixed-use" area, including the possible construction of retail facilities, in addition to a movie theater.

Public Works Director Mark Whitfield said the council's deliberation regarding land ownership concerned the overall well being of the borough.

"How the property is developed and what mechanism to use ... that's what council is weighing," Whitfield said.

Mayor Bill Welch said the difference between the RDA and other authorities is that local government can exercise more power when developing land by using the RDA.

"It's structured more as a tool," he said. "It's more responsive and serving to the government. Council has ultimate veto over the RDA."

Traditional authorities, he added, are completely independent from council.

"Council has to decide which offers the best alternative for the borough," said Terry Williams, borough solicitor. "Neither one are concerned about profit. Both eventually have the same goal."

Borough manager Tom Fountaine said the borough and the DID worked on the project for a few years, but recently the real estate became available.

"I think it's at a point now where it's time to make decisions," he said.

"Either way works ... which way council is more comfortable," Fountaine added.

Welch said one of the issues council will address is control over the development of the land. He said with the use of the RDA, the planning commission can advise the RDA directly, while cutting out the step of advising council.

If formed, the RDA could oversee more future projects within the borough.

"Council is worried that if they're not on the same page with the planning commission, they could be out of the loop," Welch said.

Whitfield said if the land is sold to the DID, the council would lose control over how the land was developed.

He added that if council decides to give control of how the land gets developed to the RDA, council would have more control because the mayor appoints the members.

Council member Cathy Dauler said the meeting last Friday was the first time the council had discussed the possibility of forming an RDA as an alternative to the DID.

She added that the issue will be scheduled for further discussion at another work session Feb. 4.

"Our intention is to be able to vote on something the following Monday," Dauler said, referring to the council meeting Feb. 7.

Dauler said the mayor made a public announcement at the meeting last Friday that he was open to suggestions from council over who should be put on the RDA, if the council decides to go that direction.

"It's a big step in trying to see this moving forward," she said.

Whitfield said ultimately, the community would win out.

"Both council and the Downtown Improvement District want to do what's best for the community," he said.

"One's not any better than the other. It really depends on your viewpoint," he added.