Local Residents Protest Temple Expansion Plans
By: Elaina DeHoratius and Enni Aigbomian
On a bright and brisk morning in March, a group of North Philadelphia residents and local activists gathered at 15th and Norris. Enthusiastically chanting “no stadium, no deal!” The residents voiced their concerns and disapproval toward Temple University’s latest expansion project.
“How can you possibly say ‘yes’ to a stadium…the community has already said no!” said Pastor William Brawner of Haven Peniel United Methodist Church.
A common complaint from these local residents was the lack of communication and engagement between Temple and community members. In addition, residents believe they are overlooked by the University.
Ruth Birchett, a protester at the rally and a fifth-generation North Philadelphia resident fervently opposes Temple University’s plans to build the $130 million multipurpose facility.
“We don’t need it, we don’t need the inconvenience…We don’t need the confusion that the construction of a massive project like this would bring to our community,” Birchett said.
The facility will include a 35,000-seat stadium, research space, classrooms and event spaces and will be located on 15th Street in between Montgomery and Norris Streets.
Residents say they do not feel heard by Temple University as it implements plans for the facility. According to The Inquirer, “…neighbors, faculty, and students who oppose the project say they’re frustrated that the project is moving forward before hearing from them.”
Temple University contends that it engaged with the community to receive and implement feedback regarding the multipurpose facility.
“We work with community leaders…Temple is willing to engage with the community and is having dialogues about what is important to people,” said Beverly Coleman, Assistant Vice President for Community Relations and Economic Development at Temple University.
There appears to be tension between Temple and its surrounding community regarding communication and engagement. The disconnect raises doubts about the effectiveness of the University’s community engagement strategy.
“I think any major expansion project like this is a really great opportunity to be super ambitious about targets for economic inclusion in terms of jobs,” said John Duda, Communications Director at the Democracy Collaborative.
The Democracy Collaborative, located in Washington D.C., researches and consults on best practices to engage all stakeholders involved in institutional expansion projects.
Duda suggested that Temple work diligently to involve local residents in the new project, specifically by providing jobs to community members. He recommended hiring locals, which provides benefits to the community and increases support for the project.
“Make the value proposition, in terms of economic activity, as strong as possible for the community. So as many jobs as possible that can go to the community. As many purchasing contracts, [and] concessions for the stadium,” Duda said. “The more all of that ‘spend’ and opportunity can be leveraged intentionally for the benefit of the community, the more the community is going to be excited about this project.”
North Philadelphia residents remain skeptical about Temple’s commitment to engage with their community and implement their feedback during large-scale projects.
To rectify this skepticism, Duda suggests that Temple may benefit from looking at how Drexel University positively engages with West Philadelphia residents through the Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships.
The Dornsife Center is an example of Drexel’s engagement with the surrounding community during university expansion projects. The Center provides various services such as free tax preparation, a health and wellness center, and monthly dinners to the local community.
“At the Dornsife Center, stakeholder participation in planning is embedded in its operations and expectations, and is a key part of the vision for transforming historically contentious relationships,” wrote Jennifer Britton, the associate director for communications and special projects at Drexel University.
The Dorncife Center acts as a foundation of trust and cooperation between Drexel University and the local community.
“Drexel University is acting as an indispensable partner to revitalize a community in West Philadelphia,” said Peter Dolkart, regional community development manager at Richmond’s Federal Reserve Bank.
John Duda of the Democracy Collaborative said that community participation is important for institutions that are expanding. He suggested Temple develop frameworks that allow the community to build its capacity and to organize around expansion as an opportunity.
As Temple University moves forward with plans to build the multipurpose facility, community members will continue to push back.
“You’ll probably see me chained to a bulldozer…because it won’t be quiet. It won’t be the first construction site that we’ve shut down,” Birchett boldly proclaimed.
