Spring Break
University proposes street closure
Stephanie Takach
Issue date: 10/3/08 Section: News
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The proposal for the streets to close will involve creating a North Mall area around the freshman residence hall, but construction has not yet started because Race Street has not been closed, according to Brian Keech, vice president for Government Affairs and Community Relations. He said that he hopes the street closing happens this month.
"The timeline was days and months ago. A lot of negotiating goes on with the [city] council," Keech said.
Drexel is meeting with the PVCA on the design and planning stages regarding Race Street's impending close.
"Race Street is a public space, so PVCA feels it essential that any changes to its present use be collaboratively explored and developed," Zuckerman wrote in an e-mail.
The PVCA agreed with Drexel to a time frame to which they would put ideas on the table for what Race Street could look like, according to Zuckerman. The PVCA is looking to come up with a collaborative plan with Drexel and use this process as a model for future development plans.
"Because Drexel is inside an institutional development district including the University of Pennsylvania and Temple, has a significant number of employees, 13,000 undergraduates, it's what's in the best interest of the community," Keech said.
Keech referred to Locust Walk on Penn's campus and its significance to the University and to the Penn community.
"Drexel has the same interest in creating those environments for students, and as much green as possible," Keech said.
"I think the leadership of PVCA is convinced that Drexel will maintain public spaces on campus to a reasonably high standard," Zuckerman wrote.
In much the same way, Drexel sat with the community and developed plans for the 34th street dormitory.
"We do care about what they say," Keech said. "We live, work and play in the same neighborhood. We have a vested interest in those who live around Drexel."
Keech also said community members have good ideas and provide many recommendations.
Keech said the relationship between the University and the PVCA is "great."
"I spend a lot of time working with them, and we don't always agree because we have different objectives," he said.
One of the issues the PVCA and Drexel disagree on is the demolition of the two homes on Race Street.
"Neighbors have expressed strong concerns about the demolition of those homes. We've articulated those concerns to Drexel and have asked them to consider alternatives," Zuckerman wrote.
At the June PVCA meeting, Keech said Drexel would be researching the possibility of relocating the homes in question and would consider doing so if it were economically feasible.
"[The North Mall] does help connect the campus and provide some space. You want pedestrian traffic to flow," Keech said. "The community worries about anything, anyone does."
According to Zuckerman, in general, the PVCA has made it clear to Drexel that the development of retail spaces and amenities is a high priority for neighborhood. Such development would create vibrant, interesting spaces that would be to the mutual benefit of the campus and the community.
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