In an effort to beautify downtown State College and increase its safety, the State College Borough Council will be discussing the Downtown Master Plan Update at its Monday meeting.
Peter Morris, a member of the council, said consultants from the plan will be coming in and reporting on what they’ve been doing in the downtown area and what they plan to do.
Morris said there was nothing final about what the consultants would say, but said it would provide the council with an idea of what they would be doing in the future.
He said it was one possibility that the plan would be made and nothing much would happen with it.
“On the other hand, if it’s a good plan and it’s feasible to do and there’s funds to do some of the things that are recommended, it could have some real physical effects,” Morris said.
Council member Jim Rosenberger said the plan is currently at an early stage in its process, and said the consultants will continue to collect data and hold meetings to receive public opinion from students and residents.
Rosenberger said the improvement plan could expand narrow sidewalks and eliminate ugly and potentially dangerous overheard hanging wires on Calder Way.
Council President Don Hahn said the original downtown improvement plan was done 10 years ago, and said they intended to update it periodically.
He said the consultants will also be speaking about feedback they had received so far on the plan.
“It’s a good process and it turns the attention to how the original downtown master plan is doing and if there are any things that need to be improved,” Hahn said.
Rosenberger said another important issue that would be discussed at the meeting included the Centre Region Council of Governments 2013 budget.
Rosenberger said the council will ask for comments regarding the budget, but said they will not approve anything until the Nov. 13 meeting.
He said the library, regional parks and other important aspects of the borough are funded by the budget.
