Dubin, Elisabeth wrote:
I was impressed by the clarity of this report (linked at the bottom of that
article):
Read a draft of the plan for the South Street Bridge at http://go.philly.com/bridgedesign
it is indeed an impressive report.
one thing I wonder about, though, is whether the community
coalition that prepared the report has taken into account
penn's plans to construct a pedestrian-only bridge across
the schuylkill (from the palestra to schuylkill banks park):
http://tinyurl.com/6kcxga#sportsRecreation
http://www.sasaki.com/what/portfolio.cgi?fid=386&page=21
yet the south street report says this:
"We believe that this report will show that the South
Street Bridge must serve as a primary pedestrian and
bicycle route as well as a vehicular route between Center
City and University City. The connnection between these
two economic centers is critical for the future of the
city's development and quality of life. The Bridge will
serve as a physical manifestation of the town-gown
relationship between Center City and the University of
Pennsylvania."
and this:
"Some of the newer bridges over the river have missed
the potential to expand the walkable neighborhoods over
the Schuylkill"
(I could find no mention of penn's planned pedestrian bridge
in the community coalition's report, even on pp 26 and 27
where it cites the penn connects plan, nor on p 33 where it
discusses pedestrian/bike traffic across the river)
it seems that penn and the coalition are at odds,
vision-wise. while both might agree that pedestrian/bike
traffic is important and should be accommodated, the
coalition sees that happening on the south street bridge,
penn sees it happening on its own bridge, with the south
street bridge being reserved primarily for motor traffic to
its medical complex.
- - - - - - -
meanwhile, the dp reported on penn's role in this process:
(1 apr 08) http://tinyurl.com/6kbpw2
The coalition has been unable to sway the Streets Department
to consider changes, so it is turning to another neighbor of
sorts, the University of Pennsylvania, for help.
But to their surprise, Penn officials say they will not get
involved.
The University argues that the priority is to get the bridge
-- considered a lifeline to the Hospital of the University
of Pennsylvania -- rebuilt as soon as possible, not to dwell
on design issues.
...
Penn's director of Government and Community Affairs, Dawn
Deitch, said the groups have had considerable success
rallying support from local and state politicians, making
their request for University involvement puzzling.
"The elected officials are there to [respond to community
concerns], you don't want a private institution influencing
a public decision," Deitch said. The University always seeks
community input on Penn projects, she added, but "this thing
is public all the way."
...
University spokesman Tony Sorrentino said Penn will not take
a side in the current debate, to the dismay of Campbell and
the other groups.
"We don't want to use our authority to affect someone else's
project," said University architect David Hollenberg.
He added, however, that the Streets Department did consult
him and his predecessor, Charles Newman -- who declined to
be interviewed for this article -- about the design several
times during the planning process.
Penn even lobbied successfully for some changes during
meetings with the Streets Department, according to
Hollenberg. One such change was a redesign of the guard
rails on the sides of the bridge.
Following these changes, Hollenberg wrote an April 2007
letter to the Art Commission of the City of Philadelphia
expressing approval.
"The Art Commission has no further objections [to the
design], and nor do we," Hollenberg wrote.
Unless the city asks again for Penn's opinion, the
University will not insert itself into the conversation.
"For us to intercede on a public-works project like this, in
opposition to it, we'd have to see it endangering the
health, safety and well-being of campus life," Sorrentino said.
...
Penn disconnects
Penn's refusal to take sides has not sat well with the
neighborhood coalition.
"We think that they are a private institution and they're
being corporately obstinate," Campbell said. "We think Penn
needs to step in here and say, 'Look, we're a 21st-century
institution, we don't need an SUV bridge.'"
For University officials, however, it ultimately comes down
to matters of time and safety.
In addition to handling HUP traffic, the bridge is one of
the major arteries bringing professors, staff, students and
visitors onto campus.
- - - - - - -
..................
UNIVERSITY*CITOYEN
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