Although the addition of the burrito joint, the eventual opening of the cookie shop and the construction on the old bank building are definitely signs of progress in Collegetown, the many empty storefronts are unfortunate.

Five-and-a-half years ago, there was a Wendy’s (where Collegetown Pizza is now).

Just last year there was a pharmacy. Now it’s a leasing office.

About four years ago there was a Sam Goody. Now it’s a redundant Chinese restaurant.

Not too long ago there was a Smoothie Hut. No more.

We had a diner. Gone.

Kinkos? Kaput.

Does it have to be this way? More specifically, is there anything that can be done to generate business possibilities in Collegetown — short of having continuous discussions about Business Improvement Districts that inevitably lead nowhere?

Ridiculous rental prices and the fact that many residents of Collegetown are content to get in their cars and go downtown have generally suggested not.

But my question is, why isn’t Cornell doing its part to spruce up Collegetown, if for no other reason than to cut down on the amount of students who bring cars to school out of “necessity”?

The Harvard Crimson reported last week that a new grocery store will open in Harvard Square in February.

Although normally I would bypass a story like this rather quickly, one thing stuck out at me:

“In an effort to secure the space for a grocery store, Harvard Real Estate Services has rented the space for the last year and a half — without subletting to any tenants — while searching for a grocer to occupy the space, at an estimated cost of several million dollars to the University.”

Apparently, there was an “explicit mandate” from former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers that a grocery store fill the space. While this is obviously not going to be a large part of his legacy (the controversy surrounding his departure has taken care of that), I’m sure that many a future Harvard student will appreciate Summers’ insistence on a local establishment where they can buy their milk and eggs.

Now, I’m not suggesting that Cornell expend several millions of dollars to rent empty space in Collegetown and utilize time and resources to make sure that appropriate businesses establish themselves. Cornell doesn’t have Harvard’s endowment and even a Harvard official “called the University’s methods in this case a ‘surgical intervention’ that will likely not be repeated.”

But Cornell need not expend any money to help get the ball rolling — it already owns the space attached to Sheldon Court. Unfortunately, however, it appears that the only thing the administration believes the space is good for is yearbook photos.

Another Harvard official noted in the story “that by setting such a strong example of promoting independent business, the University may encourage other landlords in the Square to also seek out local and independent business.”

Over the past few years, many people have suggested that the University turn the Sheldon Court space into some kind of Collegetown Community Center — a mini-version of Appel Commons or RPU. And that would be fine by me.

But nothing’s been done. This suggests that either the University doesn’t think that a Collegetown Community Center will be a success, or just doesn’t have the time or resources to be bothered with it while it develops community centers and programs on West Campus.

And that’s fine by me too. But if the University isn’t going to do something useful with the space itself, why not rent it out to someone who will?

As much as I’d like to see a real grocery store or the return of a pharmacy or a diner, I really don’t care what kind of business comes in. Although, the description of Harvard’s new store will probably make a lot of Cornellians jealous:

“The store … will serve deli sandwiches with a seating area, … high-end grocery items, … and convenience items, like 7-11. [The store] will also have a produce section, a salad bar and a large prepared-food buffet section, similar to Whole Foods…”

Mostly, though, I’d just like to see Collegetown filled up again. It would be good for residents, but also for the University on the whole — I’m sure many prospective students have wondered during visits about the many empty storefronts.

Without a boost from Cornell, though, those storefronts are likely to remain vacant.

Eric Finkelstein ’06 is a former Sun managing editor and is currently a second-year student in the Law School. He can be contacted at efinkelstein@cornellsun.com. Saturdays Excepted appears alternate Mondays.