Loss of Revlon hurts north campus

The decision to scrap the Revlon Center appears to have sounded a death knell for the northern development of campus, leaving students and area businesses north of Walnut Street wondering about the future of their area. "We are intent at looking at every opportunity for development," Vice President for Facilities Management Arthur Gravina said. "We have not abandoned the opportunity. We are continuing to investigate." According to Gravina, north campus is bounded by Drexel University to the northeast, and the University City Science Center to the north. As a result, he said, the issue is not of expansion but of development, because the University owns so much of the land in the area. He added that the University currently has no intention of moving its "center of gravity," and that the best opportunities for development lie to the east of campus. "We are not prepared to move west due to our commitment to the community," he stated. Some campus groups located in the north campus, however, hope the University will continue northern expansion. "[The Revlon Center] was going to connect us better," Assistant Director of the Newman Center Bob Cardie said. "Right now, we feel isolated. Anything that could better connect us would be an improvement." Cardie said that he thought more students would use the Newman Center -- which is located at 37th and Chestnut streets -- if student traffic in the area increased. "We definitely were disappointed," he said. "It was obvious this would be a strong thoroughfare." And although the Revlon Center plan has been scrapped, local business owners have their own suggestions as to what would improve the area. "I would like to see them continue with the feel of Sansom street," White Dog Cafe owner Judy Wicks said. "The area has no feel, like Georgetown or Cambridge." She added that the area features several cultural attractions, but they are often isolated. She also emphasized the role of commercial activity in the neighborhood as a means to improve its atmosphere. And Wicks said that she thinks there is a dire need for more parking. She added that she hopes that the University's future construction will be more attractive than most of the buildings which have been constructed in the past 30 years.