Newsstand fight may have lasting impact

The University's decision to tow a newsstand from the southwest corner of 34th and Walnut streets may be the beginning of a move for broader University control over newsstands and street vendors throughout the campus. At issue is whether the University or the city retains the right to determine who can use campus streets and sidewalks. While University administrators assert that they have legal rights to decide which vendors can operate on campus sidewalks, Philadelphia officials said those rights belong to the city's Bureau of Licenses and Inspections. The recent dispute over the newsstand located in front of Bennett Hall -- which is operated by the same vendor who owns the towed stand -- may indicate broader University efforts to maintain control of city streets for future use. If the University is able to keep control over that newsstand, it will also have a strong argument for University control of all the area's newsstands, vendors and food trucks. University officials have repeatedly complained that food trucks and sidewalk vendors block storefronts, interfering with business. And attracting new retail to campus has become a high priority for administrators with the recent announcement of plans to overhaul the 3401 Walnut Shops at Penn complex, as well as the planned construction of Sansom Commons -- an upscale retail park to be located near the new Barnes and Noble bookstore at 36th and Walnut streets. Retailers considering relocating to the University would "want to know that vending can be regulated," Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs Carol Scheman said, adding that when vending trucks are "lined up" in front of stores, businesses suffer. Earlier this month, officials asked vendors in front of the Hamilton Village shopping center to relocate across 40th Street, in part to prevent them from competing with businesses in the center. City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and University administrators are in the final stages of drafting a city ordinance regulating street vending and should reach an agreement by spring, according to Scheman. And Executive Vice President John Fry said recently that area vendors contribute to the University's "safety and aesthetic problems." "Vendors cannot set up wherever they want," he said. Fry, who called area newsstands "trashy," said he will begin to question the presence of other newsstands in the area. There are currently five stands within a two-block radius of 34th and Walnut streets. "Why are we letting this happen to us?" he asked. Although the University has no plans to remove other newsstands from campus, Scheman said last month that her office does not want food trucks to remain on Spruce or Walnut streets because of the dangers they pose to students. She explained that the trucks' large size obscures the sidewalk, providing potential criminals with the opportunity to rob students out of sight of passers-by. The University appealed to the city's Bureau of Licensing and Inspection January 22 to withdraw Dalwadi's license for the stand located in front of Bennett Hall. The city's December 3 decision to grant Dalwadi permits for his newsstand was made "in error" because Dalwadi's stand occupies private University property, according to Associate General Counsel Roman Petyk. But Philadelphia officials stood by their decision, noting that the newsstand in front of Bennett Hall has the necessary permits and legal licenses to operate there. If the University prevails in its attempt to remove Dalwadi's newsstand, it could then have the ability to remove any stand or vending truck with the same justification. The University could remove "any other piece of property" on land that abuts it, Petyk explained. Recent attention has focused on the newsstand because it presents a safety hazard and a "blight to our campus," according to Scheman. And although Dalwadi has said he intends to return his newsstand to the southwest corner of 34th and Walnut streets in the near future, University administrators have committed to removing it again as soon as he does.