Hi Al and everyone I read the article. Without reading the book (which I doubt I will to be honest), it seems rather self-congratulating and almost condescending to me. The University works with local and minority businesses? Only if by raising rents so high that only "name brand" type stores can afford to be in the area and driving locals out can be considered "working with". I see it as working against local, let alone minority businesses personally.
Not even all the businesses the University works with contribute to the community as a whole. One example would be the computer shop that's inside the B&N at 36th and Walnut. You can't walk in there and buy a computer or even certain accessories unless you are affiliated with UofP. How does that help the community as a whole? The 40th street debacle is a very big example of how the community is not taken seriously and not being worked with. I did read about the hearing, I read about Mr. Laren taking the time to testify and his testimony, apparently not being appreciated, being downgraded from expert to more or less "opinion", even though he has done a number of renovations and maintains a good amount of housing and cares about the neighborhood. I would imagine that most of our local landlords who are interested in renovating, maintaining and keeping safe, clean, affordable housing, not just for students who they can overcharge, but for local residents, would have gotten the same treatment. If it doesn't jibe with what Penn wants, then it's less than. If it means Penn can't charge $1,000+ for a tiny studio and make even more money, then it's less than - the community as a whole doesn't matter. If Penn was truly serious about helping the community, about doing something about the poor and the school situation, they would have come forward already. I mean beyond Sadie, I'm talking schools like Lea, the closed West Philly High (to be turned into luxury apts. or condos - don't remember which). That helps the can't afford these high rents/ridiculous amount of money to buy a house/condo; it doesn't help the teachers or students in the area who've lost a school. /rant Wendy On Thu, Dec 6, 2012 at 8:57 AM, <krf...@aol.com> wrote: > ** > Click here: The Daily Pennsylvanian :: Q&A: Penn author evaluates > university civic > engagement<http://www.thedp.com/article/2012/12/qa-penn-author-evaluates-university-civic-engagement> > > Does anybody on this on-line forum agree with what Ms Hodges has to say? > Maybe none of the Penn people who provided all the pap about "partnership > with the community" forgot to mention 400 S 40th St. > > Al Krigman >
