Staff Editorial: Expansion on the Eastern horizon

With an increasing student population and departments overflowing their facilities, Penn is quickly running out of real estate. With no room to build on the north and no place to go west of campus, Penn's options for expansion are few and far between.

But relief is in sight. After years of negotiation, Penn is finally on the verge of completing a deal to purchase the postal lands, which stretch from the edge of campus to 30th and Market streets.

The deal is not yet final, but should it be completed, it would be a tremendous boost to the University and could potentially solve two major problems that will only grow over the next few years.

On-campus housing is at a premium, and many students have flocked to off-campus residences not only by choice, but by necessity. With rooms in Hill House overcrowded and a waitlist for the Quad growing by the year, Penn could certainly use some new housing options to help keep students on campus.

Building a new dormitory or two in the area near the Schuylkill River would help alleviate the housing crisis on campus. It would allow the University to ease the burden placed on the near-capacity high rises and build the townhouses for students that have long been discussed.

In addition, virtually every department at Penn is clamoring for more space and newer facilities. The English Department is crammed into tiny quarters in Bennett Hall, while several other departments make their compact homes in the underwhelming McNeil Building.

Even if the postal lands are mostly used for science and technology buildings, expansion would free up more space elsewhere on campus for departments begging to expand.

In addition, playing and practice fields for club and varsity athletic teams are dwindling on campus. New green areas by the river would not only give teams the range of facilities they deserve, but it would also give Penn students more room to take advantage of their campus within a city.

We hope that, at long last, the University can complete its purchase of the postal lands. While development is a long way down the road, there is hope that future classes of students and professors will enjoy the fruits of this long negotiation process.

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