June 24–July 1, 1999

hit and run

Artistic Differences

Washington Square West residents may stand in the way of plans to build a new dormitory for University of the Arts students. In a neighborhood already saturated with construction over the past year, neighbors fear the possibility of further noise and pollution for another few years.

The university, however, looks to better accommodate the housing needs of its burgeoning student population and provide more studio and exhibition space.

Tentative plans include construction of an 18-story complex that will replace the existing building on the 300 block of South Broad Street. The layout of the new dormitory includes a dance theater on the first floor and exhibit areas on the second and third floors. All remaining floors would provide apartments for about 300 students when it opens in the fall of 2000.

But there are problems. Since last summer, Washington Square Park has been undergoing renovations that are not expected to be completed until next July.

The university-owned site on Broad between Spruce and Pine falls in the Washington Square West community, and many local residents are worried that more construction will disrupt the tranquillity of their quiet neighborhood. The Washington Square West Civic Association (WSWCA) has been meeting with university officials to negotiate and mitigate any problems caused by the building.

The WSWCA and the university are still negotiating, and the group has yet to take an official position. According to The Post (the newsletter distributed by the WSWCA), the group will be "monitoring carefully the University’s planning process by holding community hearings and following closely the steps for zoning variances."

Most of the local concerns regard the construction process and not the end result.

"We have had meetings, and they [local residents] have problems with the noise and dirt that happens during construction," says Michael Bach, vice president of the WSWCA.

Residents are not apprehensive about the prospect of rowdy college kids invading their peaceful community.

"They’re not concerned with the college," Bach says. "There are already dorms in the local area, on the other side of Broad Street."

In addition to appeasing the WSWCA, the university must be granted city zoning variances due to the size and usage of the building, lot occupancy and parking.

Recent meetings between the WSWCA and the university have been productive, Bach says. "We’re working together" so that both sides are satisfied, he adds.

University officials did not return calls by press time.

—Kevin Strouse