'Yes, the rock is staying.' WPI frat demolishes Salisbury St house, plans to rebuild

[ASTalumna06]

https://amp.telegram.com/amp/6257560001

WORCESTER — Worcester Polytechnic Institute fraternity Phi Delta Gamma is embracing modernity and saying goodbye to a 122-year-old fraternity house.

The frat house of the Pi Iota Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta — aka Fiji — at 99 Salisbury St. was knocked down last week as the fraternity prepares to build a new house on the property to better accommodate students.

Fiji chapter adviser Dave Willens said the fraternity started analyzing costs to renovate the house a few years ago to better fit the needs of students living there. There were no specific code violations for the house, he said, but it was simply time for a big change.

To those wondering: The landmark painted rock in front of the house will remain in place.

"Yes, the rock is staying," Willens said with a chuckle. "During the planning board meeting with the city, that was the first question they asked."

The rock is a Worcester landmark, painted by fraternity members to commemorate events and such. Willens said he has no idea how many layers of paint coat the rock on the lawn outside the house, but said it will definitely remain through the renovation.

After a number of engineering studies, Willens said they understood the structure was "past its useful life," meaning they would need to knock it down and start from scratch with the foundation.

"That was a pretty difficult decision actually, mainly from an emotional standpoint," he said. "It's 122 years old; it's been our house since day one."

[naraht]

The first sentence says "Phi Delta Gamma" the second sentence gets it correct.