Master plan for street vendors to be negotiated

A new master plan for street vendors in the University area will be negotiated this year and is scheduled to be completed by the end of winter according to Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs Carol Scheman. The plan will be devised in conjunction with the city government and will concentrate on Walnut and Spruce Streets. The project is one section of Public Safety Managing Director Thomas Seamon's master plan for campus security. Over the next three to five years, he plans on incorporating a community policing philosophy with a comprehensive strategy for improving a standard of life on and around the campus. "Vending adds to our community -- to the quality and liveliness of street life, improves safety by populating, and many of us rely on vending carts for meals," Scheman explained. "Also, vending arguably is a Penn tradition." Scheman said she is currently organizing committees to discuss the plan during the fall months. Any students or faculty who are interested in the issue are urged to contact Scheman as soon as possible. "I think this new plan can be really exciting and neat," Scheman said. "I strongly encourage any students to contact me with input." During the past three years, the number of street vendors has doubled from approximately 90 to 180 in the campus area, according to the owner of the Quaker Shaker, Mark Gosik. Scheman explained that the number of vendors around Penn greatly increased this year as a result of Center City's campaign to decrease the amount of food trucks in their area. She said vendors in front of the entrance of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania have already been relocated because of complaints from patients. "We are reviewing all vending on and around campus," Scheman said. "There are a number of concerns, the highest being safety and access -- that is to the extent that vending blocks streets or sidewalks or obscures the line of vision for pedestrians or vehicular traffic." Seamon said the plan will address safety concerns, continue to provide the benefits, allow for better service and working conditions in the campus area. "I believe working together with University faculty, staff, students, the wider community, and our City Councilwoman -- we can devise a vending plan that will meet the needs of all," Scheman said. "I welcome, and am interested in all input."