State College's former Autoport property, a historic site that once housed Pennsylvania's oldest operating motel, is set to undergo a transformative development. The long-empty land along South Atherton Street is poised to become a bustling hub with a proposed four-phase project timeline. The plans, submitted by PennTerra Engineering, Inc., envision a vibrant space filled with a gas station and convenience store, new restaurants, retail spaces, and more. But here's where it gets controversial: the proposed development has sparked debates about the future of the site and the potential impact on the community. The project timeline begins with the construction of a 6,358-square-foot convenience store and 14-pump fuel canopy, followed by the installation of five separate retail spaces and a 2,033-square-foot restaurant with a drive-thru and patio area. The third phase involves the construction of a larger, 5,484-square-foot restaurant with a drive-thru, and the fourth phase focuses on sprucing up an existing storage building. The plans also include the planting of 75 trees and hundreds of shrubs throughout the property. The developer, South Atherton Real Estate of the Welteroth Property Group, has yet to respond to requests for comment. The project is expected to be reviewed by the State College borough's Design Review Board and Planning Commission in March. The former Autoport property has been vacant for years, with little or no changes, until the removal of several trees in May 2024 marked the first signs of activity in nearly a decade. The site has a history of development plans, including a proposed 122-room Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel in 2020, which never materialized. Will this new development breathe new life into the property, or could it have unintended consequences for the community? The future of the Autoport property remains uncertain, and the debate continues as to whether the proposed development will be a welcome addition or a missed opportunity.
