COLUMN: A new face for University City

From Dina Bass', "No Loss for Words," Fall '99 From Dina Bass', "No Loss for Words," Fall '99When Carol Scheman arrived at Penn in 1994 to assume the newly created position of vice president for community, government and public relations, the title must have sounded like a joke to community members. Penn had never considered its relationship with the community all that important and for the most part that relationship was one of a dominant Penn destroying and taking over parts of West Philadelphia at will, regardless of the impact on the surrounding area. The UCD has done a good job of trying to promote the neighborhood and attract visitors and shoppers. Third Thursdays improved upon an earlier unsuccessful Steppin' Out Night by emphasizing the neighborhood's strengths -- cultural attractions like the Institute for Contemporary Art and local ethnic restaurants. Unlike Steppin' Out Night, which merely asked stores to stay open later, the Third Thursdays program made ample use of advertising, discounts and special programming to attract visitors. The recently announced Circulator shuttle allows area residents to easily travel short distances to work and stores, providing an added incentive to live in the neighborhood, while taking pressure off the neighborhood's limited parking resources. Similarly, the safety ambassadors lend a sense of control and comfort to the streets. Garbage is cleaned off the streets, eliminating the trash strewn corners that were once an area fixture. Making the streets safer and cleaner was the UCD's first goal and Penn Police data indicate that crime has dropped sharply in the area. A survey done last summer by the UCD showed area residents thought the area was cleaner, although only 55 percent said they feel safe in University City. Penn has taken other steps to improve the neighborhood, as well. The University has improved its incentive plan for faculty and staff purchasing houses in the neighborhood, and now provides at least $15,000 for home purchases and repairs. A second plan provides 120 percent loans to faculty and staff: 100 percent of the purchase price, 15 percent for rehabilitation and 5 percent for closing costs. This past summer, Penn announced that it will move on to one of its next goals for neighborhood improvement, building a new K-8 school and moving a magnet high school for science and engineering to the neighborhood from its present run-down facility in North Philadelphia. The school is a terrific idea as long as Penn keeps its promise to make sure the school does not negatively impact other local schools. Poor educational opportunities have long been a concern of area residents and a new school, combined with efforts to improve the current schools, can be invaluable in its ability to attract residents to the area. But there are challenges left to be met by Penn and the UCD. Part of the brilliance of the UCD was that it recognized the influence of the major academic institutions on the surrounding community. By harnessing the energies of Penn and Drexel universities and the local hospitals into one body, the UCD was able to muster a lot of power and cash. But the initial partnership is a five year arrangement, and the extent of Penn's subsequent involvement remains unclear. At some point, however, the UCD must begin to hand its mission over to the University City residents, businesses and landlords, who will have to carry on from here. While residents appear excited about the programs, it is unclear whether they value them enough to begin putting their cash into continuing them three years from now. At the same time, the UCD's effects have been limited to an area bounded by 50th Street to the west, Squirrel Hill to the south and Powelton Village and Walnut Hill to the north. But beyond that area lies an ignored and largely African-American community, which also needs attention. Currently, there is a huge difference in income between that section of West Philadelphia and the University City neighborhoods.