The Daily Illini Online
published Monday, February 10, 2003

Pikes plan to rebuild house

Roaa Al-heeti
The Daily Illini

The approximately 100-year-old Pi Kappa Alpha house will be torn down in May 2004 and replaced with a newer, larger house, as long as the fraternity's capital campaign goes according to plan.

The house, at 102 E. Chalmers St., is in need of many repairs because of its age.

"It's not the most comfortable place to live all the time," said Matthew Kenney, chapter president.

He cited problems such as plumbing, old ceilings and floors and privacy issues as some of the house's problems.

"Pretty much everyone is looking forward to (the reconstruction)," he said, and added the plans for the new house are hanging in the house's foyer.

Scott Emering, Pi Kappa Alpha alumni and rebuilding committee member, said renovating the building was not possible. Contractors estimated renovation would last 10 to 15 years and would cost $500,000, he said.

"The expense to cover it didn't make sense," Emering said. The cost of rebuilding is estimated at $3 million, he said.

Although the new plans will preserve the style of the house, it will be rebuilt twice as big, Emering said. Living quarters will be in one area of the house and the kitchen, social and seminar space will be in another part.

"The goal is to make the rooms more private, bigger and (add) more private bathrooms," Emering said. "Now, guys are faster to want to move out, get more space. We're trying to reverse that trend."

Daniel Bureau, assistant dean of students, said many houses are looking to rebuild.

"The houses are just old. Through years of wear and tear, they've decided to rebuild for incoming and current members," Bureau said.

He added many houses "are looking to meet the needs of today's students" by addressing issues such as lack of privacy. Many campus houses, including Pi Kappa Alpha, plan to try apartment-style living quarters.

Pi Kappa Alpha will ask graduates for funds to rebuild.

Affinity Connection Inc., a national consulting group for fraternities, began meeting only with Pi Kappa Alpha's top donors one-on-one in January and will continue until October or November as part of its "quiet phase," said Paul Olivett, Affinity's executive vice president.

After meeting with the top donors, Affinity Connection Inc. will seek donations from all fraternity members and alumni through direct mail and telephone calls. The entire campaign is scheduled to last18 months, Olivett said.

Pi Kappa Alpha has been working with Affinity Connection Inc. for six years to help keep in touch with alumni through newsletters and an updated alumni database. The fraternity usually pays $7,000 to $10,000 annually for the service and is paying $140,000 for the capital campaign to fund the rebuilding project, Emering said.

Kenney said although he won't be at the University long enough to live in the house, he is still excited about helping with the project.

"(The fraternity has) been here for 80 to 85 years, and there were guys who have done stuff for us that we don't even know (about). This is my way of giving to the guys of the future," Kenney said.

Undergraduates will help by keeping the house clean and providing optional smaller monetary donations that are due in the five-year period after graduation, Kenney said.

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