City plan urges U. to move eastward

The Philadelphia City Planning Commission wants the University to go east. In its 163 page Plan for West Philadelphia released last week, the planning commission recommended that future University and neighboring Drexel University expansions be directed east toward the Schuylkill River. This runs counter to the current trend at the University -- to expand westward into Philadelphia. City Planner Richard Redding said eastward expansion is ideal because it will avoid potential community problems. "Neighborhood conflicts would be avoided [by moving east]," Redding said. "This recommendation should not come as a major surprise." The plan states that the area bounded by the Schuylkill River, South Street, 31st, 32nd and Spring Garden streets could provide locations for medium to high density University and office construction. Redding said the commission's ideas offer many options for the University. "I don't see our recommendations being an impediment to the University," Redding said. "We think that in general, the best opportunity is between the Schuylkill River and campus. This is the area that is vacant and underutilized land is plentiful." Although University President Judith has not received the commission's report, she said a key component of any plan for expansion would be the revitalization of the surrounding area. Rodin said the University was in the process of forming "collaborative groups" that will include members of the nearby residential communities and local businesses to determine the best way to develop West Philadelphia. She said the University would be influential in any decision concerning development. "The University isn't the only player," Rodin said. "We hope the University will play a major role. "The University is thinking about its relationship as a leader in West Philadelphia," Rodin added. "We intend to be citizens in West Philadelphia." Redding said the commission has not received official feedback from the University about the plan, but he added that the University was consulted during the commission's preliminary talks. "I expect that our agency will have discussions with the Penn administration in the near future," Redding said. The last report on West Philadelphia was issued in 1964. In this report, the commission also calls for a new strategy on roads and development by the city.