U. to enter first phase of lighting revitalization plan

The plan aims to improve lights on campus walks and illuminate buildings. The first phase of a new initiative to improve campus lighting will begin this spring and should be completed by June, according to Vice President for Facilities Management Art Gravina. The multi-phased project includes improving lights on major campus walkways and an architectural lighting program to highlight historic University buildings. Facilities Management set an "aggressive" fall 1998 target date for completion of all phases, Gravina said. "Our intent is to review and update the current lighting on campus," he said. "We are committed to improving it." The first phase of the project involves replacing the "lollipop-type" lights on Locust Walk between 38th and 40th streets with the "Levy Park" type fixtures currently located on Locust Walk east of 38th Street. "The idea is to cast more light on both Locust Walk and the buildings in the Superblock area," said Physical Plant Executive Director Jim Wargo. "We want to make the lighting uniform and highlight the major walks on campus." Wargo explained that although plans for the number and location of the lights have not been finalized, he expects that decisions will be made within the next two weeks. "We have every reason to believe that a better-lit campus is safer, nicer, more attractive," Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs Carol Scheman explained. The University is working with the Grenald Waldron lighting consulting firm to survey the campus for further improvements. The first phase will also feature adding "streetscape" lighting to 40th Street between Walnut and Spruce streets. The new lights will be a continuation of last month's renovations to the Hamilton Village shopping center, which included adding lighted trees and new curbside brick. "Given what we did on 40th Street, we wanted to finish it up," Executive Vice President John Fry said. The second phase of the project involves examining all lighting between 33rd and 34th streets, Gravina said. "As we're constructing one phase, we'll be designing the other stages," he said. The lighting program's second phase will also include initiatives to highlight the campus's major historic buildings. This "architectural lighting" program will shine light onto buildings at the "portals of campus," according to Gravina. "We want to show that we're proud of our historic buildings," he said. And Wargo explained that the architectural lighting initiative will illuminate buildings that are often invisible after dark. "When it's dark, much of the University disappears," he said. "This program will help make people know where we are." The Evans Dental Building at 40th and Spruce streets will serve as the architectural lighting project's pilot site, Wargo said. Other campus buildings that will be part of the architectural lighting program include Bennett Hall, Franklin Field, Logan Hall, College Hall and the University Museum. The initiative will improve both the campus itself and the surrounding community, Scheman said. "Our campus isn't a closed campus, and Penn is looked at as a community resource," she said. "Anything that improves Penn improves the community. "It is inarguably true that better lighting makes makes for a better quality of living," Scheman added.