EDITORIAL: Move ahead with district plans

The University should start right away on developing the special services district. The benefits of a special services district are numerous. Graffiti and trash removal will beautify the neighborhood. And hopefully, additional street lighting will help make the area safer. It makes more sense to begin development of the district now and allocating funding for several of its projects. If or when the City Council passes the special ordinance for the district, the University and its partners will be ahead of the game as many services are likely already be in place. Administrators said they are working with other local institutions in the area to get the idea off the ground. Although the University may shoulder many of the costs for the district, Penn would probably contribute the same amount if they had waited for City Council backing. It is unlikely a real estate tax increase would provide substantial funds for a special services district -- similar to the tax revenue that supports the Center City district -- since there are a large number of non-profit organizations, like Penn, who don't pay real estate taxes. Administrators should search broadly for alternative funding. Partnerships between the University and the city, area institutions and local residents need to be utilized to their full potential if this district is to become a reality. We strongly urge administrators to be as creative as possible to find the money for the district since it won't work without funds. Starting and maintaining a special services district will take a lot of time and money on the part of the University. But it's good administrators have recognized the pressing need to improve and clean up our neighborhood.