Penn State Chapters Starts Construction on their new Chapter House.
Source:
http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive...05dnews-04.asp
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Construction on the new Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity house is underway, and the foundation for the first floor is expected to be built next week.
"We're all really excited about having a place to take pride in and call our own," fraternity member Chris Lute said. "We're also hoping that having a nice location will attract more new members and help our fraternity to better establish itself in the greek system."
The project broke ground in October and is expected to be finished in July.
Chapter Alumni Association President Robert Meinen said the new house, which will be located at 500 S. Allen St., will be more than 11,000 square feet and will be able to house 34 members.
Lute said the fraternity's current location at 243 S. Pugh St. is not an adequate living environment.
"The house is old and run-down ... and is only big enough to hold about half the brotherhood. We have a dirt floor basement, if you can believe it," he said. "The new place will be able to fit the entire fraternity under one roof, which will be great."
The property on South Allen Street was originally home to Phi Mu Delta fraternity, before the house suffered damage from a fire in July 2000. The remains of the house were demolished, which created space for Sigma Tau Gamma's new house.
Bobby Crossett, Sigma Tau Gamma president, said the construction is going well.
"It still looks like a hole in the ground, but the block work will be done soon ... and the whole thing will be under roof by mid-February," Crossett said. "We're all very excited about it and can't wait to move in."
The lot for the house was purchased in January 2001 for $178,000. Meinen said the fraternity raised $500,000 through a unique fundraiser.
"We formed a limited liability corporation, which allowed people to invest in retirement funds without penalty," he said.
Meinen said it was similar to owning stock in a company and was open to Sigma Tau Gamma alumni. He said 116 alumni invested in the project.
Interfraternity Council President Brian Bertges said it is uncommon for a fraternity to receive a new house.
"There are only so many places fraternities can have houses because of the zoning," he said.
"It is great they can get their own house because they can display their letters and it offers more opportunities." Bertges added.
The house should be completed in time for the members to move in by fall semester.
"Much time and effort has been put in by both active brothers and alumni, and it is now finally going to pay off," Crossett said. "This house is a very special thing for all of us because it is finally our own place. It will be nice to be able to call this our home."
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