It's hardhat season again

Penn's facilities and real estate division was busy this summer. Students returning this fall were greeted by the sight of newly-finished projects, as well as many other new construction sites and covered storefronts.

The University is in the midst of a retail transition phase that promises to bring the campus up to par with those of other elite schools. But for the meantime, we are stuck with holes in the ground and lots of construction fencing.

Here's a rundown of what's been going on, and some of the things yet to come:

- At last, the retrofit project is wrapping up for the high rises. Four years and $86 million later, residents now have new windows, furniture and a decoratively colored wall. While most of the upgrades were not that noticeable to students, most of the infrastructure improvements were necessary.

This project should be commended for coming in mostly on schedule and ahead of budget. Residents on four floors of Harnwell are also enjoying new kitchens and bathrooms. Penn must not call this project complete, though, until all high-rise residents get the new amenities.

- Moravian Cafes will feature several name-brand restaurants that should make students happy -- someday. At present, however, thousands of prime square feet sit closed. The project is on schedule -- eateries by late fall, with CVS opening next spring -- but that schedule should have included an opening when students arrived weeks ago.

- The English department will appreciate having Bennett Hall back this December. Renovations of that building were long overdue, and the department will finally have a suitable facility.

- Hoagie fans will appreciate Tony Luke's restaurant when it opens this fall, but again, September would have made for a more timely entrance.

- Developments being spearheaded by private firms have just begun at 40th and Chestnut streets as well as at 34th and Chestnut. Adding "large footprint" retail space -- allowing for possibly an office-supply store or something similar -- will benefit all of West Philadelphia. Both of these properties will feature residential apartments -- something the campus desperately needs. The charge to the leasing agents now will be to ensure that these units are affordable for their target market, which includes graduate students.

- The 3900 block of Walnut Street will soon be a construction zone as Penn makes much-needed improvements to that retail corridor. That work is not scheduled to begin for some time, though. The dilapidated facilities that exist now are eyesores, but it would be nice to see some of the empty space be put to use, even if it is just short-term. The Philly Fringe Fest is making good use of the former Cinemagic location. That same space ought to be extended to Penn performing arts groups that constantly struggle as it is to find places. The Chocolate Guy was a good example of such a stopgap last year. Temporary tenants would give the area a major boost.

Many more projects are on the drawing board for the coming years, and as they take shape, it is crucial that the University make students a central part of the planning process. If executed well -- and judging by the architectural firms Penn has chosen, it will be -- this new construction will greatly improve the face of campus.

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