Penn's eastward expansion on schedule

The opening of Weiss Pavillion this summer marks the beginning of the end to a series of long-term eastward expansion projects slated to be finished in the coming years.

Many are part of the University’s Penn Connects initiative, a development plan that aims to establish a greater connection between campus and our neighboring communities, with a focus on expansion toward Center City.

Penn Park, which is slated for completion next September, will become an asset to Penn’s many recreational and varsity athletes and the student body at large.

Among its 24-acre commons between the Walnut and South street bridges, the green space will house a new softball stadium, sprint turf fields and tennis center, according to Facilities and Real Estate Services.

These new tennis centers will replace the courts by David Rittenhouse Laboratory. In their place will be a new public commons much like College Green, named Shoemaker Green after its chief benefactor.

“It’s exciting to see the plans becoming a reality and see the University community members be able to benefit from and enjoy these newly designed spaces,” FRES Vice President Anne Papageorge said.

Many School of Engineering and Applied Science students, who spend most of their days past 34th Street, are excited about the prospect of more green space.

“I like the idea of an outside area by the Engineering Quad. It’s not terribly attractive over there … a nice outside area would be a huge improvement and would really lift the Engineering School spirit,” Engineering sophomore Molly Dee said.

Dee added that while the new projects will be great additions, their distance from residences is discouraging.

Not everyone agrees, however. Nursing junior Tiffany Huang was very excited about Penn Park and said she would visit it despite the considerable walk from her room.

“I think it is actually quite convenient in the sense it is close to Center City and I always go to the river with my friends to study anyway,” she said.

Tony Sorrentino, spokesman for the Office of the Executive Vice President, noted that the new projects will serve form as well as function. They will improve the overall aesthetics of the eastern campus in addition to being great academic and recreational facilities.

The Shoemaker Green, for example, will be an aesthetic complement to the modern facade of Skirkanich Hall.

Other projects will contribute to the transformation of Penn’s eastern skyline.

The Singh Nanotechnology Center, scheduled for groundbreaking later this year, will be the first academic building visitors encounter when entering from Center City. Its architecture, Penn President Amy Gutmann said, will announce the presence of Penn in a prominent way.

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