Facility Overview

The McAllister St. Parking Deck is a premier municipal parking facility operated by the Borough of State College, situated at 132 McAllister Street in the vibrant heart of Downtown State College, Pennsylvania. This modern, multi-level covered parking garage provides motorists with reliable, sheltered vehicle storage mere steps from both downtown commercial avenues and the Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) University Park campus. Designed for ease of movement, the garage features wide two-way circulation lanes, clearly numbered parking bays, elevator accessibility, and well-marked pedestrian stairwells. The facility easily accommodates standard passenger vehicles, compact cars, minivans, and mid-to-full-size SUVs. Drivers of lifted pickups, high-roof conversion vans, or vehicles equipped with roof-mounted luggage boxes or bicycle racks should observe the posted vehicle height clearance (approximately 6 feet 8 inches to 7 feet), as oversized commercial trucks cannot enter covered levels.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Boasting one of the most advantageous locations in downtown State College, the McAllister Street Deck places visitors right in the center of town culture and university life:

• Penn State University Park Campus: Just across East College Avenue (a 3 to 5-minute walk), offering immediate walking access to iconic landmarks like Old Main, the Pattee and Paterno Libraries, Schwab Auditorium, and the HUB-Robeson Center.
• Downtown Dining & Nightlife: Located directly adjacent to East College Avenue and East Beaver Avenue, offering immediate access to celebrated local establishments such as The Corner Room, Bill Pickle\'s Tap Room, Allen Street Grill, Baby\'s Burgers & Shakes, and myriad coffee shops.
• Arts & Culture: Within a short stroll of the State Theatre (approx. 5 minutes west) and Schlow Centre Region Library.
• Major Event Venues: Serves as an ideal park-and-walk base for major Penn State sporting events and concerts at Beaver Stadium, the Bryce Jordan Center, and Pegula Ice Arena via downtown event shuttle routes or a 20-25 minute campus walk.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Vehicle ingress and egress are situated directly on McAllister Street between East College Avenue and East Beaver Avenue. The deck provides swift access to PA-26 (College Avenue eastbound and Beaver Avenue westbound), which directly connects drivers to Interstate 99, US-322, and Atherton Street (US-322 Business). During high-volume periods such as Penn State football game days, commencement weekends, and the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts (Arts Fest), local traffic officers often assist with smooth egress onto primary arterials. For public transit users, the facility is centrally integrated into the Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) network; high-frequency campus and community bus routes, including the downtown loop services (Blue Loop and White Loop), stop within two blocks on College and Beaver Avenues.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Covered Multi-Level Parking: Protects vehicles from Central Pennsylvania\'s winter snow, summer sun, and inclement weather.
• Automated Payment Systems: Modern pay stations accepting credit cards and contactless payments, along with integration for mobile payments via the ParkMobile app.
• ADA Accessibility: Designated ADA accessible parking bays located in close proximity to the elevators and pedestrian stairwells.
• Safety & Visibility: Well-illuminated driving decks, 24/7 security surveillance cameras, and Borough of State College parking enforcement patrols.
• Pedestrian Convenience: Quick elevator access and dedicated pedestrian exit portals leading immediately to McAllister Alley and downtown sidewalks.

Ideal For

• Penn State Visitors & Parents: Perfect for campus tours, visiting students, attending graduation ceremonies, and academic appointments.
• Downtown Shoppers & Diners: Convenient for evening restaurant dining, boutique retail shopping, and weekend nightlife.
• Business Professionals & Commuters: Highly suitable for local office staff, government agency visitors, and regional business travelers needing hourly or daily parking.
• Event & Festival Attendees: Excellent parking choice for patrons attending shows at The State Theatre or large community celebrations like Arts Fest.

Visitor & Driver Tips

During Penn State home football weekends and university commencement ceremonies, downtown parking decks reach capacity early; arriving prior to mid-morning or reserving alternative options in advance is strongly recommended. Take note of your exact level and stall number upon parking, as multi-level layouts can look similar when returning after dark. For the quickest exit, consider paying at the walk-up pay station inside the lobby before returning to your vehicle, or utilize the ParkMobile mobile app to settle parking fees directly from your smartphone.