PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Saint Joseph’s University has sold off a big part of the 24-acre, West Philadelphia campus it acquired when it merged with the University of the Sciences three years ago.
A St. Joe’s spokesman said the university has sold all of the former USciences campus that sits below Woodland Avenue to Belmont Neighborhood Educational Alliance for an undisclosed amount.
Belmont is owned by Michael Karp, a student housing developer, but the St. Joe’s spokesman said potential plans for the property include an affordable teacher’s college or a school for public service — things, he said, that align with the university’s Jesuit mission. St. Joe’s says it will keep facilities north of Woodland and lease back a few from Karp.
Councilmember Jaime Gauthier sees the sale quite differently. She says neighbors have been trying for years to engage with St. Joe’s about the future of the campus, which occupies a large swath of the Spruce Hill community, and she considers the sale — with no notice or clear development plans — a betrayal.
“Shame on them. Shame on them for coming into our community, for treating us just like a real estate transaction to fund their Hawk Hill campus, and I hope as an institution they learn how to do better,” Gauthier said.
Gauthier said she looks forward to working with Karp. Karp did not respond to a request for comment.