The State College Area (Pennsylvania) School Board has approved final design plans for a new Park Forest Middle School that is estimated to cost up to $152 million.
StateCollege.com reports that the district plans to construct the 270,000-square-foot, three-story building in Patton Township, across the street from the existing, 54-year-old Park Forest Middle School. The campus was last renovated in 1995 and has long been a candidate for reconstruction or replacement.
Plans for the new school include a main entrance that will lead to a public lobby and a “main street” to the main gymnasium, auditorium, music space and cafeteria. A second-floor media center will overlook the main street with views out onto the campus and surrounding park.
The layout will enable the school to lock down the classroom wing during after-hours use.
For the building’s exterior, materials will include manufactured stone, ground face masonry, wood grain metal paneling and dark bronze metal paneling.
A parking lot for buses will be on the north side of the building; staff and visitor parking lots and parent drop-off and pick-up will be on the south side.
Construction is expected to begin in May and be substantially completed in November 2028 for a January 2029 opening.
The architect is Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates.
