Dorm plan could change options

Living on campus may become a more attractive option for students as the University undertakes a $300 million renovation project designed to improve current housing and dining facilities. Students living on and off campus this year had mixed feelings about how the renovations would affect housing decisions. Eventually, the University will be able to accommodate increased demand for on-campus housing when it builds two to five new dormitories in Superblock over the next 10 years, providing an additional 1,000 beds. "The overall renovation project for student residences is an investment in the University's future," Provost-designate Robert Barchi said. Students will probably not start to feel the tangible effects of the renovations until 2001, when one of the high rises closes temporarily and will be replaced by new housing in Superblock. The first step of the plan is to close Stouffer College House and demolish it. After that, a number of new structure will be constructed in Hamilton Village, or Superblock, and the high rises will undergo major renovations one at a time. "I think the dorms [are nice] the way they are, but [renovations] would certainly be something to look forward to," Engineering freshman Ana Lorenzana said. Although the current Spruce College House resident is not sure whether she will live on campus during all of her four years at Penn, she said that newly renovated dorms would provide an incentive for her to stay. Not all students, however, agreed that the dorm overhaul would make on-campus living more attractive. College junior Brian Greene said the benefits of off-campus living would still outweigh any improvements in on-campus housing. "I don't think it would make a difference," he said. "When you're younger you want to be with other students but as you get older you want more of a real world experience," Greene explained. That sentiment is exactly what local realtors are counting on. "I believe that there is a feeling of independence connected with living off campus which won't change with nicer dorms," said Lauren Weinstock of University City Housing, a local real estate company. Penn Executive Vice President John Fry said he hopes the renovation project will send a message to landlords who have "disinvested in their property" that they can no longer provide sub-standard housing. Yet local realtors said they feel their houses are already in good condition. "We keep our houses renovated anyway," said Stephen Herman, president of University Enterprises, another local landlord. "We are constantly redoing kitchens and bathrooms and putting in amenities." None of the realtors see the renovation project as a serious threat to business, although all said they feel it is a strong program. "I think [the renovation] will be an incentive for some students to stay on campus but there is still a lot of unsatisfied demand for housing," said Arthur Bye of Urban & Bye Realtors. Bye added that the University's initiatives in the area around 40th Street are bringing more people from University City to the area. And Barchi added, "It's a win-win situation for all." Fry said he is glad the University waited a year after the inauguration of the College House system before beginning renovations. "Having a year of experience under our belt will give us a much sharper renovation plan," he said.