Phillies stadium may be built near campus

A proposed new Philadelphia Phillies baseball stadium in the midst of Penn's athletic facilities could hurt future University expansion, Athletic Director Steve Bilsky said yesterday. The Phillies are considering plans to build a $250 million stadium at 30th and Walnut streets on a lot located between the University's Bower Field and the Class of 1923 Ice Rink, according to Joe Giles, the Phillies director of business development. Bilsky said the plan does not account for Penn's future. "I think the University needs land in that direction desperately, not just today but? over the next hundred years," Bilsky said. "You make decisions thinking about the future. That's the only direction this University can move." But Carol Scheman, vice president for government, community and public affairs, said reaction to the possible stadium site should come later in the planning stages for the stadium. Neither the city nor the Phillies have made a formal proposal yet. Scheman added that the entire West Philadelphia community would have input on the stadium. "We would want to sit down, not just with the people proposing the stadium, but with our neighbors and see what it means for all of us," Scheman said. The plan, presented to the Phillies by city developer Dan Keating, calls for a $500 million redevelopment of the area around 30th and Walnut streets. The proposal would also include the creation of office spaces, a movie complex and parking areas. The Phillies have not yet contacted University officials about the plan, although Giles said it is on "a list of things to do." Giles, who is the son of Phillies President Bill Giles, said the plan has both advantages and disadvantages for Penn. "I think it provides an amenity for the students and staff -- a neat thing next to your campus -- to go see a ballgame," Giles said. "It also will create some parking and I understand parking is in short supply around Penn." Giles also said plans could involve Bower Field, where the Penn baseball team currently plays. In exchange, the Phillies would allow Penn baseball to use the new stadium. Another alternative, according to Giles, includes buying the Philadelphia Civic Center at 34th Street and turning it into a parking garage for use by Penn faculty during the day and Phillies patrons during night games. But Giles said increased traffic congestion or Phillies fans walking through campus with alcohol might worry University administrators. "The biggest negative I can see is the possibility for more congestion and that is the Phillies biggest concern too," Giles said. "This area is far from a great people [and] car mover right now and an additional 10,000 cars in the area for a big game might cause more problems." The plan would also involve the relocation of the 30th Street Post Office. Keating said the post office will be moving soon regardless of the Phillies decision. The plan is based on the success of other city ballparks like Baltimore's Camden Yards, which affords fans public transportation access and a panorama of the downtown skyline. "The downtown ballparks have done a lot for the cities," Giles said. Mayor Ed Rendell refused to comment about the proposal yesterday, though he expressed concern about the plan to The Philadelphia Inquirer last week. The plan is one of two under consideration by the Phillies. The other, proposed earlier this year by developer Ronald Rubin, would create a stadium and sports-entertainment complex near the Spectrum in South Philadelphia. The team has not worked out funding for either plan, although Giles said that concern is secondary to issues involving traffic, parking, city approval and neighborhood cooperation -- all of which are currently being investigated. "In my mind, there are some steps before we get a detailed financing plan, like making sure Penn is on board and the city is on board and the parking and traffic questions are answered," Giles said. "But I think if all those things were positive, we could find a way to pay for it." According to Giles, the new stadium will open somewhere in the city as early as 2001.