Re: [UC] Baltimore/University Ave Reconfiguration

[Bill Sanderson]

ï A formerly public right-of-way can revert to private ownership under some circumstances.  This has happened in center-city to some of the narrow streets--there's one between Arch and Race, one block east of 15th, for example, which has disappeared.  Part of it is a parking lot, and part of it is a private drive to service a restaurant.   As I understand it, if you own the properties on both sides, and, probably, petition some city entity, you can get permission to close the street and use that space for your private purposes.   Penn bought that gas-station island--which looked like a "good deed" at the time--it was a clean-up site from the leaking gas tanks.  However, that same good deed aided in this change.     ----- Original Message ----- From: Jonathan Cass To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2004 3:19 PM Subject: [UC] Baltimore/University Ave Reconfiguration I have notice, as I drive by the intersection of Baltimore/University Ave, that what appears to be a building is being erected on what formally was part of a public street.  If it is a building, I presume that it is associated with/owned by Penn.  I am curious -- how did Penn go about obtaining permission to build a building on what, I presume, was public land.  In asking this question, I am not criticizing Penn or inviting a onslaught of "Penn the 900 lb. Guerilla" commentary."  I am just curious about the back story.   Jonathan A. Cass