Daniel McQuade: Weighing the consequences of more McPenntrification

McWorld: Hey, it could happen! Depending on what side you're on, that slogan is either a rallying cry against globalization, or a mid-1990s ad campaign from the Golden Arches trying to sell a couple more happy meals.

Well, for now, put one in the win column for the people representing the former -- namely, the Rev. Larry Falcon and his group, Neighbors Against McPenntrification (NAM).

A bit of background: McDonald's bought the 43rd and Market lot in October 1999. Construction was delayed due to problems with soil contamination and resident opposition, and McDonald's has decided to scrap all plans for a proposed franchise.

It's a great victory for the residents in that area. It remains, though, that there's been a lot for the past four and a half years that has been useless.

The twist, though, is that Falcon alleges that Penn and the University City District wanted to, in essence, relocate the McDonald's at 40th and Walnut streets to 43rd and Market.

Part of Falcon's evidence is an old UCD survey from 1999 that advocates moving or renovating the McDonald's on Walnut, but that survey is outdated by now.

Penn has promised not to build past 40th Street, and that McDonald's on 40th and Walnut isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Sure, the smell of fries at the 24-hour Mickey Dee's could probably be put to better use, but there's a pretty steady stream of customers at even the latest hours.

To be fair, though, there's certainly a chance that one McDonald's could be closed simply due to lack of sales if there are two in such close proximity.

Penn, for its part, is certainly committed to moving eastward. This, of course, would only replace what is now parking lots and warehouses. Community pressure has forced McDonald's to scrap its plans for a restaurant at 43rd and Market and Penn has agreed to not build past 40th Street.

So, NAM wins, right? No McDonald's at 43rd and Market, no more westward expansion and Penn fixes up the dreadful west bank of the Schuylkill River. Hell, everybody wins.

Well, maybe.

Look, there's no doubt that, in the past, Penn's foray into West Philadelphia was more of a bulldozer expansion than anything else. In the post-World War II college boom, Penn and the city gobbled up blocks and blocks, displacing hundreds of West Philadelphia natives.

Sure, Falcon may be a little overprotective of the community, but can you really blame him?

"I don't want to discount the many things Penn is doing," Falcon said. "But there can be incredible bridges built between the Penn students and kids" in the area.

And while Penn's current administration can't be held accountable for past sins, that doesn't mean they can't do something to correct them.

Penn, for its part, is trying. Despite the delay in getting them off the ground, the businesses on 40th Street can be used by both students and the local community.

"Fortieth Street can develop as a main street where community develops," Business Services spokesman Tony Sorrentino said.

Regardless of the intentions, Penn is going to face opposition because of the past, because of legitimate concerns, and even because of some -- perhaps unfounded -- dislike for Penn. It's a university in a city: similar tensions exist at Temple, at NYU, at USC.

And I think the Penn administration understands that it's going to have to deal with that. Just because the community has a distrust of Penn doesn't mean the University can't improve the quality of life in the area. After all, isn't a university supposed to help the people around it, not just the students it educates?

Penn, of course, has already done some to repair mistakes of the past, especially with Ira Harkavy's Center for Community Partnerships. But maybe Penn can do more.

That, of course, brings the story back to the giant vacant lot at 43rd and Market. So what should be done with it?

Rev. Falcon has the floor: "I would like to see a community center which would include recreation, internet access, etc. It would be a good center to build bridges."

The most endearing thing about Rev. Falcon is that he's not like other community activists -- he has a genuine concern for the West Philadelphia community. And Penn needs someone to keep it on its toes to prevent past injustices from happening again.

OK, so that vacant lot might not ever become a community center. It might not ever become anything.

But it's opportunities like these where Penn can show that it really wants to make a difference and improve the community in a way that both students and families can enjoy.

It's a little far-fetched, but is it really out of the question?

Hey, it could happen.

Daniel McQuade is a senior English major from Philadelphia, Pa., and outgoing 34th Street managing editor. Lone Wolf McQuade will appear on Thursdays.

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