Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1946 [PAGE 425]

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422

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[April 6

MATTERS PRESENTED BY PRESIDENT WILLARD

The Board considered the following matters presented by the President of the University.

PURCHASE O F FRATERNITY HOUSES ( i ) At a hearing on the University's biennial budget for 1945-1947 by the Illinois Budgetary Commission held on January 31 it was suggested that the University consider purchasing two fraternity houses, now on the market, as a part of its student housing program. This suggestion has been renewed recently, and the following is submitted for consideration by the Board of Trustees. T h e properties are at 303 East Armory, Champaign, formerly occupied by Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, and at 1106 South T h i r d Street, Champaign, formerly occupied by the Beta Kappa Fraternity, now known as "Webber H o u s e " and operated as a house for women students. It has been suggested that the University should be interested in them because (1) they are adjacent to each other, and with some alterations could be operated as o n e ; (2) they are relatively close to the University, and the intervening property could be purchased some t i m e ; (3) the University utility lines are relatively near the property and ultimately could be extended. On previous consideration of offers of these properties it was concluded not to recommend the purchase to the Board of Trustees because: 1. T h e prices heretofore quoted have been prohibitive. At any rate, the cost per occupant would be relatively high, and particularly when there is added to the original purchase price the cost of necessary remodeling and other improvements. 2. T h e main housing problem the University faces in the future is one of providing additional facilities to meet the anticipated increase in enrollment. T h e purchase of these properties would not increase housing facilities but would transfer the ownership of two units from a private to a public agency. 3. Operation of housing units with small capacities is not satisfactory; to secure economies which will be reflected in lower cost to the students it is necessary to have units of larger capacities than fraternity houses. T h e Physical Plant Department has submitted the following estimates of cost, which should be added to any purchase prices to determine the total costs of acquiring these properties and putting them in satisfactory condition for use as student houses to be operated by the University: A. Deferred Maintenance Costs 1. Pi Kappa Alpha House, 303 East Armory, Champaign: Rebuilding of south area walls and exterior terrace. Complete interior refinishing of walls and ceilings (2 coats) ; sanding and sealing floors; and provision of new lighting fixtures .$10 400 2. Webber House, 1106 South Third Street, Champaign: Removing exterior portion stone on porch and waterproofing; tuck pointing of masonry w o r k ; replacing wood sash throughout; waterproofing second floor shower; exterior painting; and interior painting (one c o a t ) . . . 7 300 Total estimated deferred maintenance costs $17 700 B. Extension of Utilities 1. Extension of electric service from load center at Huff Gymnasium, including transformer, pot heads, and service to the two buildings.. .$ 8 300 2. Extension of steam service in wood log from the University tunnel just south of Gregory Drive under the public sidewalk, with connections to the two buildings; and the installation of steam heaters for the hot water storage tanks 14 300 Total for utility extensions $22,600 C. Furnishings and Equipment 1. P i Kappa Alpha H o u s e : 44 men @ $375 2. Webber H o u s e : 31 men @ $375 Total for furnishings and equipment

TOTAL COSTS TO B E ADDED TO PURCHASE PRICES

$16 500 11 625 $28 125

$68 425