A decade ago, I was one of the many students who didn't want to make the trek to Center City. There was little that enticed students to leave the comfort and cushioned zones of University City and campus life.
Even when I did make the trek, there wasn't much to go to. Center City was quiet and dead with little to no foot traffic. Now it's booming with foot traffic, a host of posh restaurants, and places to be and be seen. It has come alive with a nightlife scene that is drawing college students out of their campus domain.
Who would have known that when then-Mayor Rendell organized a committee to find ways to retain graduates, it would transform the city 10 years later.
The Knowledge Industry Partnership and Campus Philly blossomed out of that initial committee, making the Philadelphia we have come to know today. I welcome the changes that have been and still are taking place, turning Philadelphia into one of the happening places to be in the 21st century.
It's not one thing in particular, but a combination of things that are helping students become attached to the city. The city's murals, museums and recreational trails on Kelly Drive and Wissahickon Creek, to name just a few, offer a diversity of experiences.
Philadelphia is also looking to its future with the development of casinos on the waterfront, the Comcast building and the rejuvenation of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. And let's not forget the current King Tut exhibit on its last U.S. stop before it makes its way to London.
The recently created Schuylkill River Walk that links Center City, the art museum area and Kelly Drive is another new development that will also link to Penn's campus. It's one of the pleasures I use quite frequently that has made Kelly Drive far more accessible from both West Philadelphia and Center City.
Penn's acquisition of the postal lands is also another major step in bridging the gap between Penn's campus and Center City. For years, the postal lands acted as a barrier between campus and the city. Although it isn't fully known what Penn will do with the property, it is clear that it will not only give Penn students more access to Center City, but also facilitate traffic into University City.
This is a huge step in a positive direction that allows students to use the campus as a jumping-off point to explore more of the city. The question on Philadelphia lawmaker's minds, though, is if it's enough to keep them here after graduation.
The Knowledge Industry Partnership recognizes that students today are more transient than previous generations, and that the likelihood of them staying in Philadelphia may not be high. However, they also recognize that students' experiences while in school have a direct impact on where they decide to settle down later on.
Other parts of the KIP campaign make Philadelphia not only a fun place to live, but a feasible one as well, giving Philadelphia an edge over other major cities like New York and Boston.
A KIP report noted that "Philadelphia is retaining graduates due to its affordable housing and low cost of living."
A 2000 Penn graduate, Jerilyn Keit Dressler lived in New York City for four years before returning to Philadelphia. She pointed out how she can see the money that she's saving going toward owning a house and a car in the near future. Being surrounded by her friends and living in a great community that offers arts and culture is an added bonus.
"It's extremely difficult to have that balance in New York. Philly has so much to offer and we hope to stay here for a long time," Dressler said.
This change in Penn students' perception of Philadelphia's is definitely changing for the better, thanks to the city's investment. In his last two years in office, Mayor Street will have given $1 million towards student retention.
"Philadelphia is a model for many other cities like Boston, Baltimore and Cleveland," said Josh Sevin, manager of the KIP initiatives for Philadelphia's Department of Commerce.
Regardless of whether Penn graduates choose to stay immediately after graduation, the impression that they take with them will hopefully stay with them. When the time comes to settle down, they'll hopefully move back to Philadelphia. It's something I did and I hope to see others follow suit.
Christine Otis graduated from the College of General Studies in 2002 and lives in Philadelphia. She can be reached at christine_c_otis@hotmail.com.
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