Penn Tower will not cease operations

The Penn Tower Hotel complex, a popular lodging for prospective students and visiting parents, has been turned over to the University Health System. The University announced the transfer of power last month, with Executive Vice President John Fry calling the move part of a "strategic plan to lead Penn into the 21st Century." The transfer is another part of the Agenda for Excellence program that spurred the decision to out-source The Book Store, by building the Barnes and Noble superstore. The complex -- made up of the hotel, the Penn Tower parking garage and Blockley Hall -- already houses some components of the health system. At the time of the announcement, Fry said the transfer was designed to provide the health system with the central space and flexibility it needs to "meet the changing need and requirements of health care service delivery and research." But, he added that the health system intended to continue normal operation of the hotel and garage "for the present time." Associate Vice President of Hospital Facilities Barry Hilts said yesterday that the complex will continue on a normal operation schedule "throughout the calendar year." "In an early meeting with the employees and John Fry, we agreed to continue with the existing agreement for the time being," he explained. Hilts said there are no definite plans for utilization of the space, yet. He explained that the health system is organizing a study which will draw input from all "stakeholders" in the future of the complex. The study will take suggestions from many involved areas and determine which are the most cost and space efficient. "We have a steering committee which is a pretty good cross-sectional mix of those [departments] involved," Hilts said. " 'Optimum utilization' pretty much sums up what we're looking for." According to Director of Facilities Planning Peter Pompetti, suggestions have ranged from what type of restaurant the complex will have to whether a pharmacy will be installed. "You name it, people have thrown it out," he said. Hilts was quick to point out, however, that there is no set criteria for which suggestions will be chosen yet. Some suggestions also examine the amount of retail hotel space needed in the complex. "We're looking at the size of the hotel compliment the health system will need," Hilts said. "Families of patients in [the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia] do stay in the complex now. They make up a good chunk of the business." But, he said, the health system may not need as many rooms as exist now. "Right now it's a mixed up building, with everyone competing for space," Pompetti said. "We're trying to engineer the best mix of [spatial] uses." Hilts said all of the planning is scheduled to be finalized before the end of the calendar year.