EDITORIAL: Vending plazas in your backyard

Groups must put an end to their complaints abount plans for the food plaza locations. It is hypocritical for students, faculty and staff to claim to want cheap, convenient vending options, while objecting to nearly every proposed food plaza site. Already, complaints have prompted administrators to pursue replacements for two sites: one adjacent to Bennett Hall at 34th and Chancellor streets and another behind Van Pelt Library on the 3400 block of Walnut street. We grant that concerns about the Chancellor site were well-founded, as noise from vending trucks would have made teaching in nearby Bennett classrooms difficult. Thus far, administrators have been willing to accommodate concerns. But now Hill House dormitory residents have come out against a proposed site at 34th and Walnut streets, citing problems ranging from noise and odors to rats and delivery disruption. To the residents of Hill and all others who support University City vending -- as long as it's not next to their building -- we say, "Enough is enough." This process has gone on too long already. And the complaints over the last couple weeks have delayed indefinitely any finalization of the plaza plans. There is, possibly, no spot for a vending plaza that would satisfy everyone. But, as members of the University community have asserted the importance of preserving vending in the area, they must now be willing to settle with the least problematic plan.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.