Penn State hires architect for stadium redo

Penn State announced Monday that it has selected Populous as the architect and three companies as the construction managers for the $700 million Beaver Stadium renovation project, the first phase of which is expected to start after this season.

Construction is expected to begin in January 2025 and to be completed before the 2027 football season. The project is financed and paid for entirely by Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics without using tuition or educational revenue, according to a Penn State release.

Bill Sitzabee, Penn State’s chief facilities officer, said the $70 million initial phase of the renovations will focus on improving priority safety and security, including crowd traffic control and field lighting performance.

Winterization work will include the insulation of pipes and other upgrades to allow the building to be occupied when temperatures are below freezing. That work will enable Penn State to host a College Football Playoff game in December 2024 and “other potential events beyond football games in the winter months, increasing revenue at the university and in the Centre Region.”

After the 2024 football season, work will begin on reconstructing the west side of Beaver Stadium, which will maintain bowl-style seating while adding club and loge seats and executive and founder’s suites, according to the release.

Additional renovations expected include ongoing code upgrades, accessibility improvements and upgraded fan amenities, which involve improved circulation to ease congestion, improved rest rooms, upgraded concessions, WiFi and cellular upgrades and additional seating options.

Beaver Stadium, which was built in 1960, hasn’t undergone major renovations since the upper deck in the south end zone and 60 skyboxes above the east stands were added for the 2001 season.