After several years of plans, discussions and negotiations -- along with a check for $50.6 million -- Penn administrators were able to cross eastward expansion off of their to-do list earlier this year.
Though the University will not officially take occupancy of the coveted 24-acre area directly east of campus until 2007, groundwork is already being laid for how the space which sits between Locust and Market streets near 30th Street Station and includes the United States Postal Service's central building will be used.
"We need to work over the next year to come up with a clear plan for how we want to use those lands," University President Amy Gutmann said. "We have the time ... so this is the time to really get the plan right."
The University's current developmental strategy "calls for a mixture of uses of the land," Penn Director of Real Estate Development Paul Sehnert said, adding that the area known as the "postal lands" may be used by residents, commercial enterprises and businesses, in addition to the University.
Gutmann added that "we're going to be looking at what should be developed in the easternmost part of our campus, and that may very well ... involve bringing in retail ... as well as playing fields."
Officials have said that playing fields will be one of the first priorities. Many of the areas currently covered by parking lots will be converted into green space almost immediately.
Additional plans could include a footbridge connecting Center City with University City, as well as significantly more classroom space.
University spokeswoman Lori Doyle said that the University intends to work with other city groups when deciding how to develop its newly purchased space.
"We've got about two and a half years to do the planning," Doyle said. "It won't be only Penn, we'll be working with groups like Amtrak, Drexel and the University City District to put together a really fabulous development plan for that site."
But while specific plans for the land have not been formed yet, one portion of the space has already been allotted to its former owner, the USPS, in order to allow the Postal Service a smooth transition to its new location, which will be near the Philadelphia airport.
"We have three pieces of the main building that we are leasing back to the seller," Sehnert said. "The USPS will occupy 135,000 square feet of space on the ground floor of the main building," in addition to other areas.
Doyle added that the University's acquisition of the postal lands "is key to Penn's future for the next 50 years. The University's master plan calls for eventual growth to the east, connecting the campus to Center City, so it's a very important acquisition."
Sehnert agreed, adding that "this acquisition allows for organized growth of the campus toward the east. Penn has grown at something like 50 acres every 75 years since it was founded, so if you look at it from that perspective ... this [purchase] will allow us room to grow for the next 50 years."
