Plans for Penn State’s major renovation of Beaver Stadium are closer to becoming a reality after the College Township planning commission recommended the township council approve the plans.
The planning commission heard from representatives from the university and HRG, the civil engineering firm working on the project, during its meeting Tuesday evening. Most of the details provided were similar to the presentation given to the board in July during a review of a sketch plan.
The project narrative outlines the proposed internal and external work to the stadium, home of the Penn State Nittany Lions.
“The internal work consists of new restrooms, upgraded concessions, and upgraded seating and broadcast level on the west side of the stadium. The external work consists of hardscape replacement and expansion on the east and west side of the stadium. These hardscape areas consist of concrete sidewalks, plazas, and site fencing,” the project narrative states.
Dwayne Rush, a project manager for Penn State representing the Office of Physical Plant, said once they obtain approvals, they’ll begin work on the west side of the stadium at the end of this football season and will continue through the next two seasons. Temporary seating will be in place during the 2025 and 2026 seasons to maintain the stadium’s seating capacity, he said.
“The plan is to start on the outer edge of the stadium and work in. So we will start demolition … after this season, get to a point where we can reopen for next season, and then the same thing again. The next season start again, and then the entire project will be done (for) the start of the 2027 season,” Rush said.
Some planning commission members asked questions about planned fencing around the stadium. Rush said the work done on the east side of the stadium over the summer in terms of fencing will be replicated around the stadium.
“It extends the secure perimeter out away from what I would call the door or the edge of the bowl, and then that plaza area in between the secure fence and the stadium becomes a ticketed area that is activated, let’s say, during the game,” Rush said. “So if you attend a game this season, for instance, you can be in the stadium — you can’t leave and re-enter. But on the east side, what we’ve done this year is … there’s an outdoor area with food service and other activities that you can technically leave the bowl, be outside, but inside the secure fence.”
In some places, like on the southwest side of the stadium (near Gate B), the secure fence will have a retaining wall because of elevation. But most of the site will only have a fence.
The plan includes adding 73,000 square feet of hardscape, impervious surface. Planning Commission member Ash Toumayants asked if there was a way Penn State could use a hardscape material that water could go through. Steve Kirsch, of HRG, said the university has experimented with different types of pervious pavement across campus but hasn’t found one that would work for this site.
Land development plans also do not typically show the actual design of the building but a rendering was shown during Tuesday’s meeting. In August, Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft and deputy athletic director Vinnie James told the Centre Daily Times that a design plan could be coming in the fall.
Although the Penn State board of trustees approved spending up to $700 million on the renovations, approval of the actual land development plan lies with College Township, the municipality where the stadium is located.
The planning commission consists of seven members appointed by the College Township Council. The commission doesn’t have the authority to fully approve or deny a land development plan. Its recommendation for approval includes some conditions which will need to be satisfied within 90 days after council approval.
The next College Township Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday; as of Tuesday evening, the stadium land development plan was not on the agenda.
The planning commission’s recommendation is the latest development in the planning process. In May the Penn State board of trustees approved spending up to $700 million in stadium renovations. Renovations will prioritize modern standards in the design, including improving circulation to alleviate congestion, a concourse expansion, improved press box and enable year-round events. There will be new restrooms, upgraded concession offerings and new premium seating, field lighting and maintain the current parking and tailgating experience. They’ll also create a new welcome center at Beaver Stadium.
The project has not been without controversy, with concerns raised over the past months about the hefty price tag, transparency through the process and more.
May’s approval was the second stage of renovations to be approved. In May 2023 the board of trustees approved the first phase, a $70 million portion, which included paying for design costs, winterization and other pressing issues — like lighting. The winterization is important in order for the Nittany Lions to potentially host a College Football Playoff game in December when temperatures could drop below freezing.
Source Agencies
