Re: [UC] 40th st. corridor meeting--summary?

[Krfapt]

In a message dated 2/21/2004 3:51:21 AM Eastern Standard Time, Andrew Zitcer ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) writes:   "Penn stated that it does not want to play a major role, in the sense of not putting up more Freshgrocers and Bridge Cinemas.  In the opinion of the person who said the remark (Omar Blaik, VP for Facilities and Real Estate) it is time for more grassroots and small-modular development. That is precisely why I have been hired as a cultural asset manager.  My job is to connect the dots and to work with all the parties who want to be part of 40th street.  I will not be building any buildings or doing any major development projects--just doing more things in the spirit of the Rotunda and the Slought Foundation or Free Library. Anyone who wants to talk more about my role can feel free to email me at [EMAIL PROTECTED]  I have to warn you, though--I cannot answer questions about Penn's "grand plans"--I am not privvy to the deep workings of Penn's expansion.  I am a low-level person who is working with culture and community life on and around 40th street. Andrew" -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Hey, I thought that Ray Rourke was *!RUNNING!* for this office. Now, we find out that some self-described "low-level person," who isn't even privvy to the strategy or vision of the folks who PAY HIS SALARY and therefore TO WHOM HE ANSWERS has been HIRED for the job. Another imposition of bureaucracy between the people and the Commonwealth. What ever happened to "the consent of the governed?"   And, even better, he takes "the opinion of  ... Omar Blaik, [Penn's] VP for Facilities and Real Estate" at just the face value many of us have found thoroughly disingenuous.   I can see where this 40th Street farce is going. First, no clue as to how to get the stakeholders involved. Now this. The revolving door for failed businesses of Sansom Commons, here we come.   Al Krigman KRF Corp 211 S 45th St Philadelphia PA 19104 215-349-6500, fax 215-349-6502 Website: www.iconworldwide.com/krf Current announcements: www.iconworldwide.com/krf/news