Residents upset by neon sign in Quadrangle

Christmas lights and Hanukkah menorahs peacefully illuminated Quadrangle windows before the holiday break. But contrasting the soft lights, a neon sign hung above the entrance to the Penn Student Agencies Commissary in lower Quad, drawing complaints from residents. The neon sign, which says "Open," will be removed sometime this week, according to Al Zuino, assistant director of Residential Maintenance. Controversy arose when several Quad residential advisors questioned the legality of the neon sign's presence in the middle of a historical landmark. "The Quad is a historically certified building and we did not believe this was a legal alteration," said College senior and RA Gregory Montanaro. College senior and RA Christopher Robbins agreed, adding that "to drill holes in century-old masonry and to put in a neon sign is not only illegal, it's disgusting." The sign was mounted approximately eight weeks ago, according to Montanaro. "Chris and I didn't want a trend to start," Montanaro said. "Penn has been trying to be cautious [about historical preservation]. This just slipped through the cracks." PSA Manager Ira Hillman said he had no desire to ruin the historical integrity of the Quad. "We wanted to put [the sign] up to show everyone that there is a convenient and safe food store in the Quad," Hillman said. Residential Living Director Gigi Simeone said her department is going to be working with PSA to create a more tasteful sign to inform students of when the Commissary is open. Hillman said while he is upset that the sign will be taken down, he is not angry at those students who complained. "Life's full of disappointments," he said. "We were not aware of the rule. If [the sign] is against some code, we'll have to live with it." Robbins and Montanaro said they were happy with the decision to remove the sign. "I am thrilled," Robbins said. "It was keeping a number of Quad residents up at night and creating a nuisance." Wharton freshman and Quad resident Vivek Bantwal agreed with Robbins. "At night you come home tired and see this annoying pink-colored sign," he said. "I don't think anyone likes the sign." But Engineering freshman Gregory Hinkle said he did not find the sign disturbing. "The Quad is historical as is," Hinkle said. "The sign is practical. It tells you when the Commissary is open and doesn't take away from anything." And Wharton freshman Keith Menig, who works in the Commissary, was surprised to learn that the sign is being taken down. Montanaro said he hopes the department of Residential Living compensates PSA for the cost of the sign. "They paid $1,500 to put up the sign and now they have to remove it," he said. "PSA was only trying to promote their own business. They didn't know any better." Gregory Montanaro was formerly the City Editor of The Daily Pennsylvanian.