EDITORIAL: Making a name into a reality

Designating an Avenue of Technology is only the first step to making Philadelphia a high-tech hub. And so, while we applaud the designation of Market Street west of 30th Street as the "Avenue of Technology," officials must change more than the name to make Philadelphia a center for cutting-edge industry. Giving the first annual "Avenue of Technology Award" to a man whose company -- Malvern, Pa.-based Centocor -- left the University City Science Center for the suburbs only highlights the greatest challenge the Science Center faces. As a so-called "incubator," the center provides low-rent space to businesses in the start-up stages. But those businesses tend to move out to the suburbs after they become successful. We applaud Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell's suggestion that the Science Center be designated a "keystone zone" to encourage development and business retention by exempting the Science Center from city and state taxes. And we urge City Council and the state legislature to act on the suggestion. But in return, the Science Center must do more for the surrounding community. Mentoring programs with local high schools -- particularly nearby schools -- are something we encourage the Science Center to further explore. Educational partnerships with area institutions serving underprivileged communities are another investment in the city's future that these companies are uniquely suited to make. An avenue of technology is a wonderful idea. But the Science Center must work to ensure that this avenue doesn't simply provide high-tech companies with another road out of Philadelphia.