While they work to finalize the $39 million needed to construct the new Fraser Centre, organizers are receiving inquiries from national chains such as Urban Outfitters and Borders bookstores concerning the commercial space in the new center.

Urban Outfitters spokeswoman Kiley Baun said there are no plans to open a store in State College now, but it could be a possibility later.

Borders Group Inc. could not be reached by press time, but Downtown Improvement District Director (DID) Teresa Sparacino said she hoped the bookstore would consider opening a store in the center.

A national hotel chain expressed interest in the site, too, because it likes State College as a market, Susquehanna Real Estate President Jack Kay said. Kay would not name the chain.

Kay said the Fraser Centre project would include a high-rise residential condominium, a 10-screen cineplex and commercial office and retail space, which could include retailers, restaurants and bookstores. "There have been preliminary discussions with a couple of retailers and offices," he said. "We want to be very selective in how we merchandise this whole project. We hope to finalize these things in the next 60 days."

Local groups will likely occupy the office space, while national retailers have inquired about retail space. The groups cannot be finalized until funding for the project is done, he said.

Sparacino said the DID has not given any consideration to the project besides the cineplex, condominium tower and garage, but the project is still in the planning phase.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $39 million, which does not include the cost of realigning the intersection of Fraser Street and Beaver Avenue, which will likely cost $3.2 million, Sparacino said.

State Sen. Jake Corman, R-Bellefonte, is helping to arrange a meeting between the DID and Gov. Ed Rendell to ask for money to be released from the capital budget for the project, said Don Houser, Corman's chief of staff.

State Rep. Lynn Herman, R-Centre, had placed $3 million for the project in the capital budget, which is "essentially a wish list of projects from around the commonwealth," Houser said.

The governor must choose the projects from the capital budget that will receive funding, and a meeting may sway his decision, he added.

"Sen. Corman will support the governor if the money goes towards public improvement components of the project," Houser said.

Sparacino said the meeting will be next Wednesday and involve her and Borough Manager Tom Fountaine.

The funding received from the state capital budget will not benefit the realignment of Fraser Street and Beaver Avenue.

State College Borough Planning Director Carl Hess said the realignment cost is part of the borough's capital budget, but the borough is hoping to receive federal and state funding to aid in the project.

The borough has received $251,000 from Hometown Streets, which is part of the state Department of Transportation, and hopes to receive an additional $477,000 from the group, as well as funding from federal transportation legislation, Hess said. "This is an opportunity to eliminate an intersection that doesn't work as well as it could," he said.

The realignment project will likely occur in 2007, Hess said.

Kay said there is no definite date for the beginning of construction for the Fraser Centre, but everyone involved is eager to start the project as soon as possible.

"We have rolled up our sleeves with determination that this project is going to happen," Sparacino said.