Philadelphia University, Institution Educational Land Use Meeting, April 12, 2011

 

Seven neighbors gathered on a rainy Tuesday evening to begin our planning discussion with Philadelphia University.

 

Meg Greenfield facilitated the meeting.  She reviewed the EFCC 2020 process, the reasons for the Planning Initiative, and the planning process being undertaken. 

 

Jeff Cromarty,  vice president for administration and chief operating officer of Philadelphia University  discussed the school's plans for the future as driven by the its Strategic Plan.   One of the core objectives of the plan (posted on Philadelphia University's website) , calls for innovative facilities for the 21st century. The first of those will be the new Design Engineering and Commerce building slated for the upper campus.

 

Another goal is the addition of residential housing so that the school can house most of its undergrads on campus.  There are 2643 undergrads now. 1250 are housed in PU housing.  After a net gain of 163 beds with the addition of the new facility at the Falls Center on Henry Avenue, closing of several townhouses, and ending the lease with the Alden Park, the goal is to add another 597 beds on campus.  The plan is to locate those beds on the lower “Ravenhill” campus  in a new building or buildings.  The construction moratorium ends in 2012.  The new building(s) will house freshmen who are not permitted to bring cars on campus.

 

The freshman class has about 700 students.  “Insubstantial growth of perhaps 1% a year is anticipated.  Philadelphia University is interested in the Rivage site on Ridge Avenue as another site for development

 

Neighbors addressed three topics:

 

Benefits the school brings to East Falls

Well maintained, very attractive open green space

Educational opportunities

Employs a  number of East Falls residents

Supports local businesses

 

Concerns about the school

Impact of student housing:

Parking & traffic  - freshman may bring cars to school and just park them in the streets around the campus

Noise from student parties

Maintaining a buffer between future development and neighbors: noise, light, and visual impact

Maintaining open space along the campus perimeter

Pedestrian traffic and safety

Height of new buildings

Crime – students are not always of need to take proper precautions, e.g., not locking cars.  This draws predators to the neighborhood.

Questions

What height controls will apply to IDD's (institutional development districts)

What is the school's commitment to environmental concerns:

green sustainable design

storm water control

trees

How can we get students involved in commercial life of East Falls

Is there an interest in and/or plans to acquire additional properties and, if so, where?

If Paley becomes the President's house, what would happen to the current residence?

What is the school doing about the Rivage site?

Conclusion:

Participants were invited to join the Philadelphia University Work Group