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Speaking Out
October 3, 2006, Volume 53, No. 6

Watch Your Step On Campus

With all the construction and renovation across Penn’s campus, one would think the University would make an attempt to improve some of its pedestrian walkways. Specifically, I am referring to the abominable condition of (1) the diagonal walk extending from 37th Street to 38th Street between the Quadrangle and Stouffer College House and (2) Locust Walk between 38th and 40th Streets. They are a maze of loose bricks, cracked cement, and potholes. Recently, I was walking with a co-worker whose foot caught in one of the numerous cavities along Locust Walk; she took an immediate header. Luckily, she was not seriously injured. But what about the next victim?

David C. Tester, Administrative Assistant,
Office of Human Research,
School of Medicine

Prioritizing Walkway Repairs

In response to the letter regarding the state of the pedestrian walkways, Facilities and Real Estate Services requests that if a specific hazard is identified, please call the operations center at (215) 898-7208 for an immediate repair. 

Campus walks are monitored regularly, with minor repairs made as needed. Walkways in need of major renewal have been identified and prioritized by the Office of the University Architect. Woodland Walk, between 36th Street and 38th Street and Locust Walk, west of 38th Street have been identified as priorities. Design work is in progress and we are actively seeking funding. These projects are identified in the new Campus Development Plan, Penn Connects.

Additionally, as the campus redevelops and constructs new academic and residential buildings, improvements to adjacent walkways are designed and installed as part of each project. Recent examples include: Woodland Walk west of 38th Street, adjacent to the Vet School’s new Hill Pavilion; new pathways and landscape improvements near Harnwell, Harrison and Rodin College Houses; walkways surrounding the McNeil Center for Early American Studies at Hill Square and the new garden and entry plaza at Fisher-Bennett Hall.

—Mark Kocent, Principal Planner,
Facilities & Real Estate Services

Note about Penn Connects

A 32-page Executive Summary of Penn Connects, filled with numerous renderings, is available at www.evp.upenn.edu.

 

Speaking Out welcomes reader contributions. Short, timely letters on University issues will be accepted by Thursday at noon for the following Tuesday’s issue, subject to right-of-reply guidelines. Advance notice of intention to submit is appreciated. —Eds.

Almanac - October 3, 2006, Volume 53, No. 6