Vacancies Haunt Fordham Plaza
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Bookstore to Re-open in Mid-January By RITA POLEDORI At the present time, permits are being sub- The University Shop will be open at its new mitted to the city and the plans are being approved location in Fordham Plaza by the start of next by the landlord of Fordham Plaza. Renovations semester. Students will be able to purchase books are taking place outside the office space, as well as in the interior of the store, contractors are working on fixtures, and the floor and carpets t( are being chosen. 'Even though the new ' 'Perhaps not every single renovation will be completed by the spring run, but enough work &•*'•• . JiVS""'-«5W*'>™->.S bookstore will not be will be done to accommodate the essential needs of students," Persico stated. finished in appearance, The space allotted for the University Shop is comprised of 4500 square feet, which is more students will not be than double the size of the bookstore in McGinley Center. The new shop, whose entrance will face inconvenienced in any East Fordham Road, will offer many more pro- ducts for sale, according to Persico. The store way," he said. He will include an octagonal center station, called the Ram Shop, where students can purchase added that this is a sweatshirts, tee-shirts, and other items bearing the Fordham logo. Greeting cards, school sup- ' 'win-win'' situation for plies, posters, snacks, gifts; paperback bestsellers - and used books will also be sold. Control cases Fordham Plaza students, since the new will display items for sale, such as calculators and computers. location is as close to In the meantime, Alumni House is being us- dormitories as ed to store books and supplies. Since the floor of the main level is not sturdy enough to support Vacancies Haunt the weight of the books, they are being stored McGinley Center, and in the basement, while supplies and paper goods occupy the main floor. Shortly after the books the new bookstore will were stored in Alumni House, a misunderstan- ding arose concerning the new bookstore in For- offer a much greater dham Plaza. It was mistakenly believed that the floor in Fordham Plaza was unable to support the Fordham Plaza selection of products. books, but Persico asserted that it is the floor in the Alumni House, not the new site at Fordham Plaza, that is unable to support the weight of the By JESSICA PROCARIO the building is good for the Bronx's image. H books. upon return from Christmas break, according to The opening of Fordham Plaza in the sum- remains optimistic that the 350,000 square fee Sebastian Persico, executive assistant to the finan- The renovations to McGinley Center have mer of 1986 marked what was considered to be of office space will soon be fully occupied. cial vice-president. progressed at a more rapid pace than the Fordham a revitalization of the Bronx community. Accor- Dr. Gerald Shattuck, a sociology professo Plaza renovations, but Persico said the new ding to a New York Times article published on at Fordham, commented on the structure of Foi bookstore will be ready for students in January. Monday, there has been a problem attracting dham Plaza and its effect on the community. H "Even though the new bookstore will not be private tenants. As a result, half of the floors in said, "I suspect Fordham University would lov finished in appearance, students will not be in- Fordham Plaza are empty. it (the plaza). It's like a buttress against the Sout convenienced in any way," he said. He added The article states that although the rents in Bronx..." that this is a "win-win" situation for students, Fordham Plaza do not rival those in Midtown However, he also stressed some negativ since the new location is as close to some dor- Manhattan, they are very high for the Bronx. aspects. "Urban inner city development has t mitories as McGinley Center, and the new Fordham Plaza rents are priced $15 and $25 bookstore will offer a much greater selection of per square foot, while rents for office space in products. Midtown are priced at an average of $40 per He also said that since McGinley Center is square foot. However, the office space in the Although the rents in a student center, it is most appropriate that clubs buildings surrounding Fordham Plaza have ren- and activities have their offices there. Persico tal prices which vary from seven dollars to $15 Fordham Plaza do not stated, "Moving the bookstore to Fordham Plaza per square foot. was a great way to free prime space and give it Murry Zboroski, manager of Fordham rival those in Midtown oack to the students." Plaza, told the New York Times that there are Many students are relieved that the bookstore some additional factors contributing to the lack Manhattan, they are will be able to accommodate them for purchases of enthusiasm of private tenants. There is much of textbooks for the spring semester. Jill competition coming from lower Westchester, very high for the Bronx. Lawrence, FC'90, said, "I'm glad that the Brooklyn, Queens and New Jersey, since those bookstore will be open in time so I can buy my areas have so much office space available. books for next semester. But how can I buy the Furthermore, he explained mat people do not deal with the community of people," he statec books I still need for this semester?" perceive the Bronx to be as attractive an area as He feels that priorities should be focused o Joel Campagna, FC'90, was also glad to hear others in the tri-state area, but he is optimistic employment and manufacturing. He addec that the opening of the store is on schedule. He that perceptions will change. He revealed that he "There is only a certain amount of money, an stated, "It's assuring to know that the universi- is close to signing a deal with two private renters this is not the way to go." Shattuck also asserte ty is keeping a time commitment to the students. whose office space combined would occupy that the plaza has a lot of good possibilities, bi Otherwise, we would have been facing an unplea- 60,000 square feet. One of the tenants is a that it should not be a priority. The focus of tt sant situation next semester." hospital andthe other is an educational facility. Bronx should be on helping its people, he stress See Page Five Arthur Brennan, manager of the University Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer, ed, and not on erecting big, modern offic Shop, declined to comment on the situation. also commented on Fordham Plaza. He said that buildings. mi luuiaua;, Ltccwucr i, 1*00/1 nil. KAJV1 Saturday, December 3 Lady Rams Tournament (H) 3:00 B-ball vs. KENT STATE 5:00 B-ball vs. Colgate Sunday9 December 4 Lady Rams Tournament (H) 1:00 B-ball Consolation 3:00 B-ball Final Monday, December 5 2nd Annual "GIVE A CHILD A CHRISTMAS" Return Gifts This Week!! (No later than Dec. 9th) Tuesday, December 6 CSA NOON TUNES - DJ. (RSK) "Holiday" SpecialDinner 5-8 pm The Restaurant (FDR) 7:30 Womens' B-Ball v. Yale (Home) 8:00 CINEVENTS..."lt's A Wonderful Life" (Keating 1st) Wednesday, December 7 Pope Italian Cultural Society Sponsors an Italian Movie - tba 5-8 pm The Restaurant (FDR) - last for Fall Semester 7:30 B-ball vs. St. John's (Away) Thursday, December 8 RADIO CITY X-MAS 1988 Bus leaves at 6:30 pm CINEVENTS..."Broadcast News" (Keating 1st) 8&10.-30 pm. Friday, December 9 CP&P-11th Resume Deadline For info, on weekend activities, call Student Activities 579-2334 THE RAM/Thursday, December 1, 1988/3 Senior Class Donates St. Ignatius Statue By PAT REBLLY will be dedicated at commencement by Univer- The Senior Gift 1989 Steering Committee is faculty members, and students will be encouraged The 1989 Senior Class Gift Program recently sity President Rev. Joseph U'JHare, S.J., McCar- preparing a ""Young Designers of New York" to attend. commissioned a statue of St. Ignatius Loyola to thy said, and it will be placed at McGinley fashion show and mixer for Thursday, be presented to Fordham University. The pro- Center. Recently a 50/50 raffle was held by the Gift gram organized a large fund-raising campaign One goal of the program is to "establish a Program at a Fordham football game. A profit aimed at Fordham seniors, alumni and the com- way of educating future alumni about the impor- munity, with a goal of $10,000. of $102.00 was contributed to the statue fund, tance of alumni support,'' the Steering Commit- according to Nadine Fagone, FC'89, assistant "It [the statue] will demonstrate the fact that tee proposed. director of the Gift Program. St. Ignatius was the beginning of the tradition of '' The connection with Fordham does not end excellence in education for the Jesuits," said at graduation," said Tom Mauriello, Director of During the month of October volunteers Maureen Barlety, FC'90, assistant director of the the Annual Fund at Lincoln Center. "The abili- were recruited to the program and the Steering 1989 Senior Class Gift Progam. The statue will ty to see a tangible gift will make seniors proud Committee. United Student Government and commemorate the 500th birthday of St. Ignatius, when they return in future years," he said. "It [the statue] will class representatives were asked to volunteer the founder of the Jesuit order, she added. The goal of $10,000 to finance the statue will time, and other seniors at Fordham were also "The gift will be a beautiful expression of be attained through a series of fund-raising demonstrate the fact welcomed.