Pi Kappa Alpha - Purdue University

Spring 2014 Newsletter

Beta Phi Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha at Purdue University

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spring 2014 Candlelight Beta Phi Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha • Purdue University Published by the Beta Phi Foundation W hat an exciting time for Beta Phi. Our Foundation began discussing the need to address infrastructure concerns and possible upgrades to our 50-year-old house in late 2007. Today we are finalizing details for summer construction. Much has happened during those seven years. Architects, attorneys, bankers, fundraisers, and Purdue University were all consulted before a final decision was made to proceed in 2009. Driving the decision to move forward (even during gloomy economic conditions) was the realization that the house infrastructure was nearing or had exceeded its normal life necessitating a new heating system, updated plumbing, upgraded electrical systems, and new roof. The house has neither a sprinkler system nor air conditioning. Both are needed if we want to ensure the safety of residents and remain competitive with the new housing options offered to Purdue students in residence halls and newly remodeled fraternity houses. In December 2009 discussions began with Kinder Construction of Fort Wayne to explore their willingness to join us as a design-build partner. In business since 1892, Bill Kinder '95 and Doug Kinder '91 are fourth-generation owners of the family business. One of the areas they specialize in is building and updating college facilities, including dormitories. Customers include Taylor University, Manchester College, IPFW, Grace College, Indiana Tech, Ball State, and Ivy Tech. Members of the Foundation and Home Association worked with the Kinders and their key subcontractors to develop a cost-effective design. Chapter House Renovation to Begin May 2014 The final design will: • Adjust the house capacity to 60 men. This allows six one- man rooms and four four-man suites in addition to 19 two- man rooms. • Continue Home Association's conversion of much of the first floor to study areas by creating a new study room off the entry and a study/alumni room where the old library was. This has worked well to provide a quiet place to study in the house and helps offset the small size of our two-man rooms. • Provide new heating and air conditioning systems, sprinkler system, and upgrade plumbing and electrical systems. The Home Association needed to and did replace the roof last summer. • Upgrade our living areas on the first floor to a more current look, including new flooring, lighting, paint/wall coverings, and a much more attractive fireplace. • Have a construction cost of about $81/sq. ft. with fundraising, permits, architect, and legal fees making up 21.6% of our total costs (both significantly below initial estimates). There is still time! We still need funds to cover the main floor and kitchen updates. Please consider joining the 268 brothers who have contributed to the campaign and help us minimize our new mortgage. Contact Rich Russell '58 at rich@ richandphyllis.com if you can still help. In November of 2012 Sarah Schraffenberger and Terri Smith-Wright volunteered to join the team as interior designers. Terri is an interior designer for Purdue, specializing in residence halls, and Sarah is an interior design student working for Terri as an intern. Terri's husband is Brother Doug Wright '86 and Sarah has two brothers who are Pikes. Terri and Sarah provided design concepts, recommending colors, lighting, and window and flooring upgrades. In February 2013 we added architect H2Design to formalize our drawings and submit them to the state for approval. Actual construction will begin the week after school is out in May. The house will be completely evacuated and everything removed before construction crews move in on May 12. Construction will be completed by August 20, 2014, in time for occupancy before school starts. It is going to be an exciting and busy summer; but what a great time to be a Pike at Purdue.

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