Get the ball rolling

P enn students would have a lot of trouble imagining a world without the Fresh Grocer, the Bridge: Cinema de Lux, the Penn Bookstore, the 40th Street corridor and Wynn Commons. But less than a decade ago, that was the world Senior Vice President of Facilities and Real Estate Services Omar Blaik inherited when he assumed his post. Largely thanks to his department -- which plans and carries out development projects for Penn and which employs 850 people -- University City has been transformed from an underdeveloped neighborhood with a crime problem to a vibrant destination with some of the priciest real estate in all of Philadelphia. The Washington Post even ran a front-page story earlier this year lauding Penn as the example of a university leading urban development.

But earlier this year, Blaik announced he would be stepping down from his post -- he is serving his last day tomorrow -- leaving Penn with a void that is desperately in need of being filled. And instead of rushing to find a replacement, University officials are taking it slow.

When Blaik announced his resignation in mid-February, University officials said they would soon be hiring a firm to help conduct the search for a replacement. Only days later, this column told administrators that " a replacement is needed -- and fast." But it's now early April, and officials have yet to even hire a search firm.

Because Blaik's departure comes at a critical juncture for the University, officials are threatening Penn's future by delaying their search.

In less than nine months, Penn will acquire the postal lands, a $50.6 million parcel of land east of Penn's campus. The purchase marks a major shift in the University's development, which moved west and north for many years before running into community opposition. Penn has a chance to start on a piece of land with a mostly blank slate, but as of now, there is no one to lead the transformation.

In addition, more than $200 million of construction projects are now planned or under way, not including private developments at the corners of 34th and Chestnut, 40th and Chestnut and 39th and Walnut streets. Making matters worse, Penn's temporary replacement -- School of Engineering and Applied Science administrator Tom Stump -- has already made it clear he has no interest in keeping the job permanently, and other administrators have said the search process could take more than six months.

It's clear that Blaik's post is of the utmost importance. While Penn should certainly take the time to insure his replacement is of the highest caliber, it's time to get the ball rolling.

At the least, just get the search started. The University's future depends on it.

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