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Centre Daily Times September 8 2005
Academy site may see condos
State College developer eyes 65-unit complex
By Lara Brenckle; lbrenckl@centredaily.com
"A six-story condominium apartment building with a two-story parking garage could rise on the site of the former Bellefonte Academy, borough officials and a local developer confirmed Wednesday.
The Torron Group, of State College, has an agreement to purchase the property from owner James Nolten, contingent on the project receiving various municipal approvals and on successful marketing of units to be built in "Academy Heights."
Nolten said Torron Group approached him after he made it known that he was looking for buyers for the property.
Nolten said he considered rebuilding after a July 2004 fire destroyed the historic Bellefonte Academy, but "time" kept him from doing it. And rebuilding the former academy to replace the apartments it contained was "just not cost effective," Nolten said.
Nolten said he was pleased with Torron's proposal.
"I think it's a great idea for that location," he said. "It's a magnificent site and what they want to do is worthy of a site like that."
Torron Group envisions 65 owner-occupied condominiums. Plans also call for the group to acquire the headmaster's house, the only building left standing after the fire. It would be used as a community center for residents, with space for a fitness center and rooms for entertaining.
Nolten said there are four apartments in the headmaster's house and all four are rented. What will happen to the tenants is not certain, Nolten said.
"It depends on the time frame and if (Torron) is able to move forward," Nolten said.
Tom Songer II, managing partner with the Torron Group, said a number of criteria need to be met before the project moves forward, including the pre-selling 60 to 70 percent of the condo units.
If that happens, groundbreaking would occur in spring or summer 2006, with occupancy roughly one year later.
Prices for the units would range from about $170,000 to more than $300,000, with plans allowing units to be combined and floor plans customized to allow for larger living quarters.
Those prices, Songer noted, are preliminary.
"What's of concern for us is that construction prices seem to be increasing because of the energy crisis," Songer said. "So it's really hard to pin a number down. We'd like to sell them in that price range, but until we're further along and I have proposals from contractors, I won't know for sure."
Tuesday night, Songer and Nolten presented their project to Bellefonte Borough Council. During the meeting, they secured the borough's promise to write a letter supporting the project.
Bellefonte Borough Manager Ralph Stewart, , said the project must clear a few zoning issues, such as height restrictions in the central business district and the number of required parking spaces, before it can proceed.
"We're going to have to work together," Stewart said. "But (council) was very impressed."
Songer said his group was cognizant of those issues, as well as aesthetic ones related to building a modern structure near the heart of the Victorian community.
Songer said he had already met with the borough's Planning Commission and Historic Architecture Review Board to obtain guidance as he and architect Fred Fernsler planned the project.
Among the amenities planned are enhanced security -- no one would be able to enter the building except with a resident -- and secure parking in the garage. The parking deck's second story would include a rooftop garden. A homeowners' association fee would pay for maintenance of outdoor and common areas.
Songer said he is looking at instituting concierge services so residents could possibly have groceries, laundry and medications delivered to their door.
"I do think there is a market for these types of units," Songer said. "Bellefonte is ready for a turnaround, ready to come back because you have people who want this lifestyle."
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