NEWS BRIEFS
On the market
The Penn-owned, 32-acre Wharton Sinkler estate in Wyndmoor is up for sale. Donated to Penn in 1971 by Louise Sinkler for use as a conference center, the heavily-wooded estate will be divided into no more than seven residential lots -- the smallest, at 1.7 acres, will cost $450,000; the largest covers 11.7 acres and includes the 11-bedroom manor house, which dates from the early 1900s (serious buyers will be given the price). Penn decided to explore the real estate market only after completing a feasibility study to determine ways to make the best use of the property, yet maintain the unique character of the surrounding area. Penn will consider only proposals that will be sensitive to the architectural and historic integrity of the neighborhood.
ICA head resigns
Patrick Murphy, director of the Institute of Contemporary Art, has resigned and will assume the top post at the Royal Hibernian Academy in his native Dublin in November. Murphy saw the ICA through National Endowment for the Arts controversies from Robert Mapplethorpe to Andres Serrano and helped maintain the ICA's reputation as a cutting-edge, university-based art gallery. Murphy said he was not looking for a job -- "It just came up." Interim Provost Michael Wachter lauded Murphy as a "terrific leader" who was instrumental in producing high-quality local, national and international exhibitions over the past decade.
On-line
Information about Penn's recently announced programs and partnerships aimed at maintaining and improving the quality of life in West Philadelphia is now available in a single place on the Web. The "Our Commitment to West Philadelphia" Web site contains information and answers to frequently asked questions about Penn's housing incentives, its retail-development and business-stimulation projects, programs to improve community safety and cleanliness, and the recently-announced public school partnerships.