A businessman clad in a gray suit. A police officer in uniform. A Penn student wearing workout clothes.
All were in attendance last night at the Rotunda for a community forum focused on the future development of 40th Street. University officials organized the meeting to promote dialogue concerning their new strategy for the area.
The administration does not aim to play a major role in further development, pushing instead for local involvement.
"We think that as we are coming to this next stage that Penn should not take the lead," said Omar Blaik, vice president of Real Estate and Facilities Services. "We want to be a voice, but we want to be one voice among many."
Last night's meeting, which drew a crowd of over 100, was the first of four such forums that will explore the future of 40th Street.
"Our goal is to develop a set of principles that the community would like to see used as guidelines in the continuing evolution of 40th Street," said Harris Sokoloff, one of the coordinators of the forum.
Penn School of Design professor and Penn Praxis Executive Director Harris Steinberg described the goal of the meeting as "trying to open up civil dialogue and civil engagement in the broadest sense."
Penn Praxis is a "clinical consulting practice ... that is meant to enable faculty and students to work on real-life projects," according to Steinberg. Praxis was the instrumental group in designing the 40th Street series. Last year, Praxis helped to facilitate discussion among over 800 citizens about waterfront development on Penn's Landing.
"We're drawing on our experience in Penn's Landing," Steinberg said.
Experts on various aspects of urban development presented the history of the corridor, as well as the area's relationship with the University. Demographic and economic data were also cited. An exhibit of photographs -- one set from 1964, and the other in 2004, taken from identical angles -- was displayed.
Sokoloff, who is the executive director of the Center for School Study Councils in the Graduate School of Education, described the art as "a wonderful juxtaposition of what was, what is, and I think if we squint, what could be."
Glenn Bryan, the director of communications relations for the University, noted the forum's desire to attract a diverse audience.
"We want to make sure all voices are heard -- business owners, community members, Penn staff, students and faculty," he said, adding that "all of us occupy 40th Street -- [a] unique landmark in the city of Philadelphia."
The forum also attracted City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and State Representative Jim Roebuck.
"Fortieth Street is one of the most exciting corridors in Philadelphia," Blackwell said. "We've got to find a way to keep it clean, to keep development going."
Roebuck cited the nostalgia that many link with the area, while focusing on the future.
Fortieth Street should be "a bridge from the University into the community and not a barrier," he said.
Event attendee and University student Charles Forster found Penn's new strategy intriguing.
"I think it's interesting that the University has actually taken a hands-off approach," the College and Engineering junior said.
Forster seemed to question the entire process, however.
"I hope that they actually follow through -- it's a lot of talk so far and not a lot of money or action."
