Did You Know?
In 2021, with the goal of creating a mixed-use residential/commercial building that would increase affordable housing in State College, the RDA purchased 406 South Pugh, the former home of the Alpha Chi Sigma fraternity.
While key to supporting the health and wellbeing of State College residents, projects like this are often passed over by private developers because of their lack of long term profit.
When no outside developers raised their hand to partner in the redevelopment of this declining property, the RDA committed to moving forward solo, ensuring that critical human services stay local and accessible.
Project Overview
Phase 1 – Commercial Construction
Following the completion of Phase 1, Centre Helps, a local non-profit that provides emotional support and crisis counseling, will move into their new home in April 2024.
With additional space and resources, this invaluable local organization will be able to expand their suicide hotline and other services to better serve our neighbors in crisis.
What’s coming:
Phase 2 – Residential Construction
Phase 2 construction, which will add four affordable and fully ADA accessible rental housing units to the building, will begin in Fall 2024.
One of the most significant additions to the building during Phase 2 is a three-story elevator that will make all four rental housing units fully accessible.
What’s coming:
Living Room
Bar Room
Double Bedroom
Project Facts
Built in 1923 in the Holmes-Foster/Highlands Historic District, the building is included in the National Register of Historic Places.
—talk about sale price of building being much lower than it could have been—
Pre-construction, the empty fraternity building was home to a family of bats! (A family who will be carefully rehomed under the supervision of ______.)
Exceeding energy code requirements in accordance with both LEED standards for the commercial space and Enterprise Green Communities Certification requirements for affordable housing units, highly energy-efficient building methods and materials will be used.
Landscaped rain gardens are proposed along the south side of the building for stormwater management.
The 4 ADA accessible units will be a resource for low-income State College neighbors with disabilities.
