Organizers of the Fraser Centre project spoke at a community forum last night where they received support and criticism concerning the price of the $32 million plan and the types of retailers that will occupy the space.

About 25 people attended the meeting, where Susquehanna Real Estate representatives Jack Kay and Tim Fulton set what they called an "ambitious" start date for late 2006 and emphasized their company's goal to work with the community to create a downtown entertainment focal point.

The Fraser Centre involves three components: commercial space, a residential area that consists of about 54 loft-style condominium units, and a 10-screen cineplex. The condominium tower will be located at the corner of Fraser Street and Beaver Avenue, and the cineplex will sit at the intersection of Calder Alley and Fraser Street.

Residents spoke with unease about the economic feasibility of the cineplex, which accounts for $10 million of the total cost, and about whether the entire project could continue without the theater.

State College Planning Commission member Zoë Boniface also mentioned the possibility of a new cinema on Lowes Boulevard, which might saturate the movie market.

Kay responded to concerns over the price tag on the cinema by citing the high standards the company holds for their buildings, which he said is evident through past projects including Susquehanna Commerce Center and the Lofts in York.

"Our goal is to create a high-quality project," Kay said. "When we do a nice building, the next guy does a nice building and the standards are raised."

The company does not want to create a business that fails in three years, so creating a cinema that is convenient for Penn State students is important to the success of the project, Kay said.

He addressed concerns over the price of the condominiums, which would likely sell for an average price of $300,000, by explaining that the projected market would not be students but would consist of alumni, young professionals and Penn State employees who would contribute to the downtown economy.

Fulton said the first two stories of the commercial building would include several retail spaces, which could be both local and national chains.

Michael Freeman, a Planning Commission member, said he would prefer a bookstore as one of the anchor retail spaces in the project.

"We have a problem in this town with commercial uses in our town being filled with things that don't contribute to the community," Freeman said. "People want to be able to spend the day downtown, going to movies, bookstores and shopping."

He said he went door to door in the borough and spoke to about 70 households. Only four had reservations regarding the Fraser Centre.

"Our marketing strategy is: This [project] is a Cabbage-Patch doll," Kay said. "You don't know you want it until you see it. Then you have to have it."