Lambda Chi Alpha has joined with the University of Denver to construct a new residential facility for its fraternity members. A groundbreaking ceremony took place Oct. 21 at the construction site located at 2217 E. Evans Ave.
The new house is scheduled for completion by fall 2007. It will replace a structure built from 1927–31 that no longer met safety codes.
“We’re building it to last, building it to be comfortable and building it to be safe,” says David Ford, director of fraternity and sorority campaigns at DU.
The new 12,000-square foot building will have four levels, including a basement, to house 32 students and a house director. Its amenities will include air conditioning, sprinkler systems, high speed Internet connection and cable television.
Ford says the new chapter house will be the result of a unique partnership between the fraternity, alumni and the University to design the building and raise funds. Initially, the fundraising goal was $2 million. Ford says 80 percent of that goal has been met, but rising construction costs may increase the final tab — so fundraising is ongoing.
For those who wish to see the work in progress, a Web cam will offer live views of the construction starting in about two weeks.
Lambda Chi Alpha will lease the house from the University, which will provide maintenance and cleaning services. The fraternity has been part of the DU community for almost 90 years. Each year, it collects more than 100,000 pounds of food for the homeless.
A new Sigma Chi fraternity house will be built at 1978 S. Josephine St. Its construction schedule will be announced later this fall.