EDITORIAL: Penn continues to expand

The University should proceed with caution into development projects on the eastern boundary of campus. But just this week administrators announced yet another major expansion project, namely a 19-story tower and a five story building on the northwest corner of 34th and Chestnut streets. The $111 million project will cater to the University community's various needs by providing space for both academic needs and retail interests. Penn must be attentive to these pressing concerns and must seek out the available real estate within the confines of University City. This project will be useful for numerous Penn professors, offering facilities for the the extensive research initiatives underway on campus. There is, however, a key difference between the proposed project and the developments on 40th Street or in Sansom Common. This recent announcement marks a continuation of Penn's expansion to the east -- coming on the heels of the University's announcement to convert the General Electric building on 31st and Walnut streets into apartments. University officials stress their commitment to eastward expansion, noting that they may extend the boundries of campus out to 30th Street. And while Penn clearly needs additional space -- and may require more in the future -- we urge the University to exercise caution as it expands the boundaries of campus. Because the school has a compact, urban campus, the acquisition of a few short blocks can significantly alter the face of the University. Therefore the development should not push too far away from the heart of campus. But although this building will lurk on the edge of campus, it should ultimately prove beneficial to the University. It will provide space for classrooms and research labs that students and faculty desperately need. The facility will also offer residential space to visiting professors or short term faculty. Additionally, the development will address one of the University's most pressing needs: parking. The plans include a 786-car parking garage and Penn desperately needs each and every space. We anticipate this building will serve the University well as it provides necessary facilities. But as Penn continues to expand, we hope that officials make careful development decisions.