Berks County · Reading · #49-13901
Student Union Renovations and Expansion LD
South of Penn Street and in between south front street and south of 2nd street., Reading, PA · 29,252 sq ft non-residential, school · 4.9 acres
About this project
A preliminary land development for a student union building expansion with a new elevator at Reading Area Community College, totaling 29,252 sq ft on a 4.9-acre site south of Penn Street in Reading.
Official description: Building expansion plus an elevator total square footage 29,252
- Applicant
- Kenneth Dearstyne
- Owner
- Reading Area Community College
- Engineer / designer
- Paul Schmoll
- Plan type
- Preliminary
- Land use
- School
- Water
- EX P
- Sewer
- EX P
- Status
- Reviewed
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
Reading Area Community College (RACC) planned to expand and renovate its existing student union building at 25 S. Front St. The county record describes about 29,252 square feet on a 4.9-acre campus site, including a new elevator.
The building already serves students and sits next to the Schuylkill River. Local news reports say the expansion would add a second floor holding a snack bar, school store, lounges, club offices, meeting rooms, a fitness center, a computer lab, some classrooms and event space. The college has said the work fits its 10-year master plan. A state grant of about $2.1 million was reported for the student union expansion.
Because the site is in a floodplain, the college needed zoning exceptions. One news headline later reported that the college withdrew the plans and would revisit the project with other designs. That report could not be read in full, so its date and details are unconfirmed.
What it could mean nearby
- The expansion would add student and campus-event space, mostly serving the college community rather than creating new homes.
- Moving key amenities to a second floor is meant to limit flood damage in a building next to the river.
- No traffic, parking or utility findings were found in the sources.
Where it stands
The zoning board approved relief in March 2025, and a further floodplain variance was sought in August 2025. A later news headline says the college withdrew the plan, so the project's current status is unclear. If the college returns with a revised design, it would need city planning commission review and approval again.
- Aug 2025 Zoning board considered an added floodplain variance to allow wet flood-proofing
- Jun 4, 2025 Latest county planning filing for the preliminary land development
- Mar 2025 Reading Zoning Hearing Board approved zoning relief for the expansion
Want to weigh in? The Reading Planning Commission reviews land development plans at public meetings, and residents can comment there or through the City of Reading planning office if the project returns.
Who's behind it
Reading Area Community College · A public community college in Reading, Berks County, that owns and operates the student union building.
Around the web
- RACC requests additional zoning relief for expansion of student union buildingWFMZ · Aug 13, 2025Describes the added floodplain variance request, the wet-proofing plan and the planned second-floor amenities.
- Reading zoners grant relief for RACC to expand its student union buildingWFMZReports the zoning board granting relief for the expansion.
- Reading zoners hear plans for RACC to expand student union buildingWFMZCovers the first zoning hearing and ties the project to the college's 10-year master plan.
- RACC withdraws plans to expand student union buildingWFMZThe headline indicates the college withdrew its plans; the article could not be read in full.
- Reading Area Community College receives $3.6 million in state fundingReading Area Community CollegeReports state capital funding that included money for the student union expansion.
Planning terms explained
- Land development
- A formal city review of plans to build or enlarge a building, covering layout, access and stormwater.
- Variance
- Permission from the zoning board to depart from a zoning rule because of a hardship.
- Floodplain Overlay
- An added zoning layer with stricter building rules in areas that can flood.
- Wet flood-proofing
- Designing a building so floodwater can enter without major damage, for example by placing key uses on upper floors.
- Preliminary plan
- An early-stage plan submitted for review before final approval.
Researched by AI from public sources on Nov 1, 2026. It can make mistakes, so check the linked sources and the municipality before relying on it.
Scope estimate for contractors
Estimated construction value: $10.2M
- ~146 roofing squares (assumes 2 stories)
- ~73 tons of cooling (rule of thumb 400 sq ft/ton)
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