… [Drexel’s president John] Fry’s five-point plan to improve safety and offer incentives to employees who buy homes in the neighborhood resembles the plan he largely designed and implemented as an executive at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1990s. Those efforts greatly improved the area surrounding Penn’s campus and helped spark private investment in restaurants, a movie theater, and a grocery store…
Indeed, Fry plans to expand security patrols in the neighborhoods surrounding Drexel. Plans also call for better lighting, tree trimming, and landscaping to help spruce up the city streets. ..
At the same time, Drexel plans to sell the mansion in Montgomery County that has served as the home of the university president. The 2.8-acre estate was donated to Drexel years ago by an alumna, but was disconnected from the campus. The property is listed for $2.7 million. (Fry plans to continue to live in Haverford, where he lived when he worked at Penn.). .. (more)
