Some Fry projects in limbo

As Executive Vice President John Fry heads for Franklin and Marshall College at the end of the academic year, he leaves behind some big shoes to fill for his successor.

But Penn's top businessman also leaves behind a few unfinished projects, some of which he struggled with throughout his tenure.

Fry is leaving campus around the same time as two longtime real estate establishments, Campus Market and Steve & Barry's, are planning their exits as well. Those two vendors occupy prime retail space, and the niches they fill -- especially the college apparel store, which was one of the more popular vendors on campus, offering cheap alternatives to the Bookstore's high-priced Penn paraphernalia -- will be difficult for the next EVP to replace.

Fry's seven-year tenure at Penn, undoubtedly one of the most productive and effective in the history of his office, has been largely successful. However, like any administrator, he's faced his share of obstacles, and he's had some failures.

The man that brought Penn new student-friendly vendors, such as the Freshgrocer, and upscale restaurants like Pod also failed to realize one of his main goals -- enticing an upscale movie theater to set up shop on campus.

Originally, the 40th and Walnut street theater was going to be a partnership between Robert Redford's Sundance Cinemas and General Cinemas, the financial backers of the project. But General Cinemas filed for bankruptcy, leading to the deal's demise in November 2000. Current plans call for a six-screen movie theater, run by Cinebridge, a subsidiary of media giant National Amusements.

At the outset of the theater project, Fry's target opening date was in 2000. But the lot at 40th and Walnut remains empty, with future involvement with Hollywood still unrealized.

University Treasurer and Vice President for Finance Craig Carnaroli indicated that with the operator identified and the lease negotiated, the only task left is to put the proposal through the capital approval process once again, given the changes in the project since it was first approved. That process should only take a few weeks, once the University finally gives it the go-ahead.

Fry was also responsible for outsourcing management of the University's facilities to Trammell Crow Co., a Dallas-based firm. But nearly two years after Penn entered into the agreement, the University drastically reduced Trammell Crow's role, and Penn again assumed control of its on-campus facilities.

Another headache for Fry -- one that has finally been resolved -- is the diner dilemma that has been a campus issue since the days of Eat at Joe's. The 1950s-style diner closed in July 2000 after years of student complaints about high prices, poor service and limited hours.

Fry struck out again with El Diner when it closed in June 2001 after only a four-month life span, leading him to question the appropriateness of a diner on Penn's campus.

But the third time has proven to be the charm. Philly Diner has turned into the "greasy-spoon" option for which Penn students were long salivating.

Fry was also successful in dramatically reducing crime rates and, to some extent, improving relations with the West Philadelphia community through various initiatives with the University City District -- an organization that he was instrumental in founding.

People like Barry Grossbach, former president of the Spruce Hill Community Organization, have witnessed the recent revitalization of West Philadelphia and say they hope that the level of concern and cooperation under Fry will continue under his successor.

"If you talk about what's left unfinished from a community perspective, the issue is how permanent are the changes in terms of the University's outreach to the community and the relationship that has been established," Grossbach said.

"The University has looked outwardly -- the question is, will they continue to do so?" he added.

According to some Penn administrators, the recent economic slowdown will challenge the next EVP. The University has already been forced to make budget cuts, decreasing administrative funding by five percent.

"Having a downturn in the economy, in the stock market, and further constraints on our resources... will mean we need to be very creative with and prioritize how to use the resources," Vice President for Facilities Services and Real Estate Services Omar Blaik said.

With only a few months left in office, Fry has emphasized a number of projects to his senior management team, including the development of the 40th Street corridor. In the end, administrators say how much Fry completes and how much is left unfinished for his successor will depend on time more than desire.

"John has phenomenal energy and a real drive and passion to get things done," Carnaroli said. "Some of these things will take longer, but if you don't try, by definition, they won't get done. It's a fairly ambitious list of things to get done, but if we all try our hardest, we can get some of it done."

Fry's ability to get things done stemmed from his pragmatism, according to Grossbach. His down-to-earth nature enabled him to act "without caring what people think of him." Not interested in winning a popularity contest, Fry proved to be an effective businessman acting on behalf of the University with concern for the community.

But the same ability to rise above the opinions of others that produced some of Fry's staunchest supporters also aggravated the small, but vocal, group Neighbors Against McPenntrification, who at the very least do not consider Fry a friend.

Relations with the West Philadelphia community remain a point of contention, despite Fry's efforts to bridge the gaps. Fry and the University have repeatedly been accused of encroaching upon Penn's surrounding territory.

Tensions reached a climax this summer when the Neighbors sent Fry a mysterious package, first thought to be a bomb, although later identified as simply holding a bag filled with a "dirt-like substance."

The activist group objected to the 43rd and Market street McDonald's project, saying the fast food restaurant neglected to protect surrounding residents from contaminated soil during construction.

Although Fry vehemently denies having any connection to the McDonald's project, Neighbors de facto leader, the Rev. Larry Falcon, still complains about the McDonald's project months later and says there's little regret in the community that Fry is leaving.

"There are a lot of community people who are really glad he's moving on," Falcon said. "He never really worked with the community to find out what we wanted. Instead, he made decisions and told us what we needed."

But Grossbach said that under Fry, the community viewed Penn as more of a blessing than a curse, something he hopes will not stop with Fry's successor.

"Many of us in the community have our fingers crossed," Grossbach said. "We hope that the people in the University who are making these decisions choose to fill the position with someone who has as much vision and commitment to the community beyond Penn's borders as John Fry has had."

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.