Like many urban universities, Penn often has a contentious relationship with its neighbors, a natural clash born out of differing viewpoints, goals and interests. But the University should have put more effort into dialogue with the community in its recent conversations with West Philadelphia residents concerning the proposed extended-stay hotel on the corner of 40th and Pine streets.
As this paper has editorialized before, the hotel, which aims to serve families of long-term patients at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, will bring substantial benefits to the community, including increased economic commerce, which cannot be overstated today.
The hotel, though, faces strong opposition from area residents because of the University's past spread into West Philadelphia and the size of the building. Those not in favor of the hotel have voiced their concerns in several forums, but continue to complain that the University is not listening to them.
It's unlikely, because of their vastly different interests for the site, that the University and the community can reach a solution about which everyone can feel satisfied. But the University could have better included the community in a project that will affect more than just those affiliated with the University. For instance, residents could have been given more notice of the plans for the site, where a closed nursing home currently sits, and community members' concerns and feedback could have been taken into account through revised plans.
Penn may be the biggest resident, but it's not the only resident in University City. We hope that, in the future, more can be done in communicating with West Philadelphians affected by University goals.
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