Mount Nittany Elementary expansion estimated to cost nearly $21 million

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ) — The State College Area School District has some big renovation plans for the future and one is shaping up to have a pretty hefty price tag.

At the Board of Directors meeting on Feb. 5, Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates architectural firm revealed that the current estimate for the Mount Nittany Elementary expansion is $20.9 million.

The 40,000-square-foot expansion will add six general classrooms in a new wing. There will also be a large group instruction room, special education rooms and a cafeteria.

“It’s coming in at just under $21,000,000 which, for the size of the construction expected is very surprising,” SCASD finance and operations officer Randy Brown said. “It’s very indicative of the inflation that we’ve been experiencing here as a country and as a community over the last several years.”

At the same meeting, the board also heard new updates for the Districtwide Facilities Master Plan which includes updates to Park Forest Middle School.

Three options for renovations on the school are currently being considered. One would upgrade the current building, another would be a new construction across Valley Vista Drive and a third would be built on property adjacent to Park Forest Elementary School.

“We have presented advantages and disadvantages to both, or all three,” Brown said. “Some board members have made comments leaning one way or the other.”

Brown said the district is waiting until they receive feedback from the community before they choose an option for the project. The district will be holding four community forums where residents can share their thoughts and opinions on the changes that could come to Park Forest Middle School.

The community forums will be held on the following dates:

• Feb. 27, Park Forest Middle School, 6:00 p.m.
• Feb. 29, Radio Park Elementary School, 6:00 p.m.
• April 24, Gray’s Woods Elementary School, 6:00 p.m.
• April 29, Park Forest Middle School, 6:00 p.m.