Neighbors react to 40th St. plan

When it comes to Robert Redford's new Sundance Cinemas theater complex, to be constructed soon at 40th and Walnut streets, University officials and several community leaders agree -- they can't wait. As for the separate food market and 700-space-plus parking garage that will also call 40th Street home, the same community leaders haven't reached a consensus. Some believe the garage will be an eyesore and that the food market won't fit in with the new retail atmosphere, while others think the garage is necessary and view the market as a welcome addition. The Drexeline fresh food market, occupying the ground floor of the garage, will join the six-to-eight screen theater complex that Redford announced plans for on Friday. The 40,000-square-foot building -- which Redford said is intended to provide a bridge between Penn and the community -- will be located in the Hamilton Village shopping center and is scheduled to open in early 2000. Members of the Spruce Hill Community Renewal Committee are concerned about the garage -- which will rise from the parking lot at 40th and Walnut streets -- and how it will affect the area they have been working for the past few years to improve. The group is one of the Spruce Hill Community Association's standing committees. "That's a massive structure no matter how creative the architect is," said John Betak, chairperson of the committee. "[The garage] will fundamentally alter? how 40th Street feels." But SHCA President Joe Ruane and Mike Hardy, secretary of the University City Community Council -- a group comprised of representatives from each of the area's six neighborhood associations -- disagreed with Betak's objections to the garage, which will rise about seven stories to the height of the adjacent 4015 Walnut Street building. "Not only does the theater complex require it -- the other businesses in the area have great need for it," Hardy noted. According to Hardy, the development -- including the parking garage -- is just what University City needs. "Who could be against such a thing? The only drawback is we have to wait until the millennium," said Hardy, who described the plan as "perfect for Penn, perfect for the community -- the ideal marriage." Hardy's enthusiasm is mirrored by Glenn Bryan, the University's director of community relations, who says the complex will serve as anchor, drawing both people and other businesses to 40th Street. Bryan said the University is speaking with students and community members to decide what other businesses and activities should be included in the area. Suggestions he has received include a jazz club and coffee gallery. Community leaders hope the complex will improve relations between the University and its surrounding area. At the very least, students will mix with area residents in the theater, Ruane said. Sundance spokesperson Stephen Rivers cited the relationship as one reason why Redford chose the area. "What was appealing about this particular location? was the combination of the University and the urban right there together," Rivers said. University officials hope the complex will attract people from throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs to West Philadelphia. Bryan said the project is unprecedented in University City and "will help the area become a destination point." Betak pointed out that attracting more cars to the area could be difficult due to Walnut's one-direction traffic and the narrowness of 39th and 40th streets. He fears that parking on at least one side of Walnut street in the area will be permitted when the theater opens.