Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Monday, November 23, 2009

A letter from a charter member, on the Chapter Room Dedication...

Dear Delta Upsilon Sisters of Gamma Phi Beta,

My own candlelight was held in this house back in 1985 when I became engaged to our sorority big brother, Mark White, whom I started dating in 1983. That time seems so long ago, yet it is so bright in the memories of the women who were charter members of Gamma Phi Beta at the University of Georgia. Rush, chapter meetings, and our first candlelight were all held in the terribly hot upper room of Memorial Hall where we had so many decisions to make and so much to learn. It was our hope and dream to have a house of our own, but we thought that a group of apartments near Atlanta Highway would have to do until the amazing chance came for Gamma Phi Beta to own 397 S. Milledge Avenue.

With help from national, collegiate and alumnae advisors, we hurried to get the house ready for fall rush in 1983 with all of us cleaning, polishing, doing yard work and learning flip flop in our free time. It was exciting to see this house decorated and filled with flowers, one family even presented us with a beautiful engraved antique hall tree. Rush that year was amazing, but the reality that the meeting space was too small was very clear. Chapter meetings filled every available inch in the front of the house, and during candlelight ceremonies it was hard to tell who blew the candle out. PACE meetings had to be elsewhere in the “Bell South” community room or in a campus classroom. We all thought that we would have a chapter room soon, but we really had no idea what an effort would be involved.

The crowding never got in the way of our fun, though. We laughed our way through each new challenge, and we loved each other, though Ms. Carolyn, our first house mother, didn’t always think so. That love still lasts through the years, and it brings me joy to reconnect with Gamma Phi Beta sisters and to meet new ones in my community of Northern Virginia. It is with delight that I’ve seen daughters of friends become Gamma Phi Betas, too. When parents of seniors at our children’s school met recently, one said that being in a sorority was the worst mistake of her life. I had to disagree with her, though, because Gamma Phi Beta has only enriched my life. Were there problems? Yes, of course there were, but we grow through adversity. Were there temptations? Yes, of course there were, but this helps us to learn how to focus on what is important. Did each of us grow as people? Absolutely, we are all still growing. You are on a lifelong adventure filled with love, labor, learning, and loyalty.

We enjoyed the fruit from many sisters who had gone before us, and today you enjoy the fruit from many sisters who have gone before you. We could not forget that this house needed extensive renovations since we used it ourselves, and it is a pleasure to help you to have the first chapter room for Delta Upsilon. We know that you will use it well, and you will leave things better than you found them, too. Our Chapter Advisor, Martha Mendenhall, was one of the sweetest women I’ve ever known. She helped us through many struggles, and she lived an incredible example of love and forgiveness. I challenge each of you to always have someone you are mentoring and to always have someone to be mentoring you, too. Wherever you go, may you be a shining light for Gamma Phi Beta, honoring those who came before you and, like those of us continuing our commitment to Gamma Phi, helping those who will come after you.

In IIKE,

Sharon Anderson White ‘83

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Phase 2

Just because I haven't been posting as regularly lately doesn't mean things haven't been moving a mile a minute at the sorority house! I will catch you up on all of the details soon, but suffice it to say that there will be women living in the new upstairs bedrooms (above the new chapter room) in JANUARY!

That's right! The bedrooms and new large bathroom will be complete in the next week or two. Then, in December, while school is closed for the holidays, our amazing contractor team will come in and open up the hallway between the existing back of the house with the new addition, create bedrooms where the old back stairwell is, and also make bedrooms where the upstairs president's room bathroom and hall bath are currently.

If you're a visual person like I am, all these words do little for you. I will post pictures as soon as I can.

I would love to hear from you if you've been to the house since construction started. Am I the only one who is blown away by all these changes?!

Monday, November 16, 2009

It happened!



I actually ate dinner in our sorority's chapter room last night!

182 women were in attendance, including a couple dozen alumnae. (Shout out to my pledge sisters Emily, Hannah and Stacey - great to catch up!)

Stop by the house when you are in Athens next... it's really pretty unbelievable until you see it for yourself.


Top Row L-R: Meredith Gurley Carr (Alumnae Collegian Advisor), Michelle Hood Rosenthal (HCB President), Julie Dunn Eichenberg (Atlanta Alumnae and Founder Day Keynote Speaker), Kristen Schmidt White (Chapter Advisor), Natalie Black Muir (Capital Campaign Co-Chair)
Bottom Row L-R: Joan Trefz (2009 Alumnae Collegian Co-Chair), Sarah Rettker (2009 Chapter President), Jillian Farr (2009 Alumnae Collegian Co-Chair)
(PHOTOS/Jackie Reedy, jackiereedy@gmail.com)


Thursday, November 5, 2009

Don't Miss Founders Day Chapter Room Dedication

All Alumnae:
The sisters of the Delta Upsilon Chapter of Gamma Phi Beta cordially invite you to attend
2009 Founders Day Dinner &
Chapter Room Dedication
Sunday, November 15, 2009
6:00 p.m. Networking and Socializing Activity
6:30 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m. Program and Chapter Room Dedication
Tickets: $25.00
Please RSVP by November 11, 2009
Mail payments to: Joan Trefz, Alumnae Relations Liason, 397 S. Milledge Ave., Athens, GA 30606
(E-mail me with questions flowers.jennifer@gmail.com)

Please join us in welcoming our Founders Day Speaker, Julie Dunn Eichenberg. Julie, an alumna from the Beta Mu Chapter at FSU, has been an active Gamma Phi Beta sister since joining the organization. While being active on her campus and Panhellenic activities in college, Julie continued her dedication to Gamma Phi as a Collegiate Leadership Consultant. Julie visited Delta Upsilon in the 90's as a CLC, and continues her involvement and leadership with alumni through the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter. Julie is the Vice President for Sales and Marketing at Turner Network Sales.

Tour the beautiful renovations of our Sorority House. Celebrate the past and envision our future!

Monday, August 24, 2009

College Housing Infrastructure Act - fighting for tax-deductible donations

Wouldn't you be even more enticed to contribute to this renovation if the donation were tax deductable? The fact that HCB donations are currently not tax deductable is a reality we've been frustrated by from the outset of our renovation project. Below is an invitation I received via the Gamma Phi Beta Atlanta Alumnae grapevine (thanks for the heads up, ladies) in support of the College Housing Infrastructure Act. Regardless of whether or not you attend, check out more information about the political action committee focused solely on Greek issues in Washington and make your support heard!
__________________
On August 25, the Fraternity and Sorority Political Action Committee
will be hosting a reception in support of the College Housing
Infrastructure Act. As you can see from the reception invitation, Kris
Bridges (Phi Mu) and Julie Burkhard (Alpha Chi Omega past
international president) are on the host committee, as well as various
other IFC members.

Currently, you cannot make a tax-deductible donation to a Housing
Corporation to assist with improvements in campus sorority or
fraternity housing. The College Housing Infrastructure Act (CHIA)
will work to make these donations tax deductible. At a time when
housing on campus is difficult to come by, safe, affordable fraternity
and sorority housing is critical, and our support of campus housing is
paramount. Each college depends on IFC/NPC housing for their
students, yet support of those organizations which provide the housing
is not eligible for tax deductions. As you know, donations to the
colleges themselves are! This will make capital campaigns for housing
much easier. It’s in the interest of IFC /NPC organizations to push
for and gain support of this act so that they can continue to thrive
on campus.

Please Join Us For A Reception For The
Fraternity & Sorority Political Action Committee
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Anthony’s Restaurant
3109 Piedmont Road, Atlanta, GA 30305
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Reception
Cash Bar & Hors d’oeuvres


Honorary Host Committee
Congressman Nathan Deal (R-GA) ΑTΩ
Congressman Phil Gingrey (R-GA) ΣN
Congressman Jack Kingston(R-GA) ΛХΑ

Host Committee
Brian Bates, TKE
Kris & Tee Bridges, ΦМ & ΣΑE
Julie Cain Burkhard, ΑХΩ
David Carico, KA
Mike Carroll, ΔХ
Robert Durham, ΣN
Bart Newman, ΣΦE
Joe Zimmerman, ΑEΦ
State Representative Joe Wilkinson, ΛХΑ

Electronic payments can be made by visiting:
www.fratpac.org
Or checks can be made payable to:
Fraternity & Sorority PAC
P.O. Box 3435, Alexandria, VA 22302
Contribution: $100
Student Contribution: $25

To RSVP: Contact Kevin O’Neill – (757) 207-6002

Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to collect and report
the name, address, occupation and name of employer of each individual
whose contributions aggregate in excess of $200 in a calendar year.

Contributions are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes.
The maximum an individual may contribute is $5,000 per calendar year.
Corporations, foreign nationals without green cards, and minors under
age 18 are prohibited from contributing.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Pledge Class 2009

This coming Monday will mark their first Chapter experience... Say hello to the new faces of Gamma Phi Beta, three of which are legacies, and three of which are sophomores! (Click here for more information on the new upperclassman quota. ) Quota was 47 but because our chapter was not at Panhellenic cap (due to ebb and flow of graduating seniors), we were able to take additional new members... a great thing because all of these women are incredible!

New Member Educator Kate Adams is looking for alumnae guest speakers for new member meetings. If you are interested in contributing - in this way or another - please contact Chapter Advisor Kristen (Schmidt) White via e-mail: kristinschmitwhite@gmail.com.

Gamma Phi Beta New Members, Pledge Class 2009:
*Goldberg, Hannah (daughter of Delta Upsilon founding member Jan (Hawell) Goldberg of Roswell, Ga)
*
Ensley, Emma
*Swindall, Caitlin
Adams, Lyndsey
Anderson, Brittany
Cook, Carsen
Cowart, Caroline
Croteau, Brea
Dunlap, Laura
French, Rachel
Gray, McKenzie
Green, Katie
Hamblin, Sarah
Hampton, Rebecca
Harmon, Sara
Haymaker, Ali
Hebb, Lauren
Hinkson, Kristin
Hodges, Haley
Hylinski, Julia
Kottis, Christine
Ladson, Anna
Lattanzi, Jenna
Leduc, Corynne
Lindsley, Lauren
Maddox, Beth
Malone, Mackenzie
McCain, Bethany
McLaughlin, Bethany
McLean, Liz
Minish, Briana
Morris, Sarah
O'Connor, Lauren
Payne, Taylor
Peacock, Courtney
Pease, Emily
Peterson, Erin
Price, Meredith
Pulliam, Kacey
Pulliam, Lia
Quester, Rachel
Seabolt, Alex
Sharis, Wanda
Shaw, Emily
Slaughter, Elizabeth
Smith, Kaley
Sosnowski, Hailee
Strickland, Ashleigh
Suhr, Abby
Taylor, Emily Kathryn
Unger, Megan
Van Wagner, Court
Weinstein, Danielle
Wheeler, Sarah
Whigham, Claire
Yealy, Katie
Zolghadri, Shireen
*Legacies


Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Bid Day!

Yesterday, UGA's Recruitment 2009 came to a close... I'll post more details soon, but meanwhile, click here for Gamma Phi Beta ON THE FRONT PAGE of the Red & Black today!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Hardwoods and Lighting

Here are a few upgrades that have been done to the existing part of the house during Phase I.
A phenomenal difference hardwoods make - both in the back hallway (see previous post) and the TV Room!
The parlor and the library BOTH received ceiling makeovers... gone are the metal-boxed-sprinkler system, and, compliments of Parents' Club, we added recessed lighting AND a chandelier in each room.

This is the new dining room chandelier.Speaking of lighting - here are new lights in a new location (no longer on the column) by the front door; and then the light that hangs above the balcony outside.

There are so many other amazing details to notice that I can't capture them all. For example, did you notice in the picture of the library that the pocket doors have been stripped and restained, an attempt to restore the authenticity of the home. I have learned that when many minds come together, phenomenal things can be accomplished. I've got so much more to show you, so stay tuned.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Phase One Complete - Side Entrance & Foyer

Below is the first series of Phase I completion photos. I thought I'd start with shots of the new side entrance (by Henderson St) and foyer to the chapter room. From left to right, top to bottom, the new profile of the house; new side entrance mimics the look and feel of the front main entrance; side entrance opens to hardwood foyer/gathering area; first impression from side entrance (to the right of the side entrance door is one of three sets of interior doors to the chapter room not pictured here); standing in the back hallway (by where the old back entrance was) and looking toward new side entrance door; perspective from original part of the house looking down the back hallway (no more carpet!); main set of interior double doors to chapter room off of back hallway.

















In subsequent posts I'll show you upgrades to the existing part of the house, the new laundry room, vending closet and powder room. Then I'll do my best to explain the upstairs new addition while it's in the framed stage.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

NEW ARRIVALS!

Twice the congratulations to our renovation's Project Manager and Delta Upsilon's very own Liz (Bagarozzi) Hutcheson (PC '91)... She's been so busy managing and facilitating this enormous renovation project, the fact that she spent the summer pregnant with twins has been, well, just plain amazing.



Good news!



Our Superwoman became Supermom last week... On Thursday July 31, 2009 Liz welcomed the arrival of Drew and Alex, beautiful, healthy twin baby boys!



Join me in pouring on Liz all of our happy wishes (and gratitude for her ability to multitask)!

Phase I is COMPLETE!

Speechless...

I don't know where to start. I cannot adequately put into words how astounded I am by the transformation of the sorority house. (For the sake of blogging, I will try.)

Sunday I went to the house for the HCB Annual Meeting; this was my first time inside the house since renovations began. I should have been somewhat prepared because I've been privy to the site plans and even some of the finishes. But walking through it - actually being within the walls - I was fulfilled and inspired in a way I didn't expect.

I counted and 397 S. Milledge has been home to at least 1,000 women over the past 25 years. This was home while profoundly formative years of college played out... (You tend to learn a lot about yourself with half of a dozen roommates!) And a LOT of great memories have been made because of this ole' house. A few spring to mind for me... Janet's wallpaper joke was the only cure for my mid-rush tired smile. And the phone conversations that happened on that back landing! Peering from the stairs by the attic down into the foyer to catch a glimpse of so-and-so-'s blind date. Exam cramming-turned-composition of "Hold Me Closer KP Taylor". Mysterious tater-tot discoveries... All of us - especially those of us who lived here - had our favorite and not-so-favorite parts of the house. So to see this home finally really given the dedicated attention it has long deserved, well, it's just so fulfilling. This house just sparkles!!

I've been inspired to attempt to get every alumnae into the house to experience this for herself! Meanwhile, over the next week (and as soon as I find my camera connector cord), I'll be posting picture after picture of the house.

Monday, July 13, 2009

All sorts of updates...

PROGRESS REPORT:
Exterior trim and siding 90%
Interior trim and flooring Remodel 75%
ADA Ramp finished except handrail
Side entry finished except tile
Drywall in addition and remodel finished for phase 1
Sprinkler system finished
Plumbing 75%
Electric 75%
HVAC 75%
All roofing finished
Flooring selected 98% Phase I
Plumbing selected 98%Phase I
Lighting selected 98% Phase I
Majority of paint selections finalized


FIRST OF ALL - A CHAPTER ROOM!!!!!
FLOORING: (From left to right) The downstairs powder room w/ ceramic tile, the TV room shown here prepping for hardwoods, the kitchen hall/entry w/ brick pavers to hold up well under heavy traffic, and hardwoods going in the back entry foyer.









RAMP: No more decking to maintain! Here's the new access ramp that opens into the chapter room.
NAME THAT ROOM: See if you can name these two rooms... without a roof! Leave your guesses in the comments section.












Sunday, July 5, 2009

See for yourself on Aug 2nd


The Fourth of July holiday weekend found me traveling through Athens en route home from a fabulous lake jaunt, and my husband graciously agreed to pit stop by 397 South Milledge so I could see for myself what this renovation looks like. A-maz-ing. But, as luck would have it, my camera battery was dead; fortunately, sweet Abby Howe sent me these updated pictures to share with you. Siding on the new addition is going up and windows are installed. The sheetrock of the chapter room is taped and mudded... it is starting to feel like a true chapter room, very surreal!! The rehabilitation of the original siding on the existing exterior of the house is still in the works and I can't wait to post a before and after shot of the front of the house once it's complete. The wood siding is about half the width of the vinyl; so now the house will look a little more detailed and classic. Exciting.



If you are itching to see this in person too, Delta Upsilon alumnae are welcome to attend the 2009 Annual Meeting for House Corporation Board in the house on Sunday, August 2nd, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. Email me if you want more information about the meeting, otherwise I hope I'll see a lot of you there. flowers.jennifer@gmail.com

Monday, June 29, 2009

NEW ROOF!


This is really starting to look like one cohesive house! The entire house got a new roof over the past couple of weeks. The roofline has changed to accomodate the addition. There will be a storage well of sorts up there - much needed - as well as a space to house air conditioning compressors.


To clarify, from left to right, first floor: existing 2-girl back bedroom & a small window to it's private bathroom, the new back entrance to chapter room foyer, and a series of three windows into chapter room. Left to right, second floor: Window Room, Back-5 (which will no longer be same size or house as many girls), and three windows to new 2-girl bedrooms.


In case you are curious... That tiger looking sign is the logo for Bona Fide, our contractor. They are amazing. Here's their web site: http://bonafide-construction.com/


You may also wonder why the siding on the existing part of the house looks a little rough. That's because we are removing all the vinyl siding and refinishing the wood siding that has been sitting happily untouched for years underneath. This will restore the house to as much of an original condition as possible. AGD did this a few years back and it looked so fantastic we were inspired to try. At first we were worried we'd remove part of the siding to find rotting wood, but have been happy to discover that so far the original siding is in great condition - all it needs is a little paint!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Second story and so much more...



Check out the difference a week makes! The sheathing is up and floor trusses are going in to support second story framing in the new addition. If this is what you can see from the outside, but what exactly has been going on behind this sheathing and within the house? Well, our fabulous, tireless project manager Elizabeth Hutcheson reports that among other things, she is finalizing quotes for windows and doors as well as plumbing fixtures.

Thrillingly, we are having the sprinkler system in the common rooms of the house replaced. No more unsightly metal boxes on the ceiling!

In the process of removing the old sprinklers, check out the ancient dining room wallpaper the crew found! (The pic with surrounding blue paint.) I remember the dining room a dark green with ivory paisley or flowers or something; when HCB put in new hardwoods they simultaneously painted the rest of the downstairs and thus the parlor wallpaper and dining room paper disappeared. I wonder how many layers these rooms have under their current coat of paint?!

Here is the gem of a pattern that was discovered as the crew demolished the door to the downstairs back bedroom (my old room).
When I lived there, Court and I painted the walls green; before that they were yellow and since then they ended up pink and white. Now HCB has a budget to paint rooms for girls; this helps control the number of coats these walls get and helps the girls plan since they know colors before they even pick roommates and rooms. I digress... For good measure, here's a picture of the back stair demolition. See the green to the right of the stairs? That's the old powder room post-demolition.

Up next - a significant portion of rewiring of the house will be complete! There's a nice surprise is in store for the library and parlor..

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Chapter Room is Evolving...

Looking toward the front of the chapter room (looking toward our neighbor on Milledge). This is where we'll put some sort of raised stage. Also, note there will be exterior access; this door will only open from the inside to ensure security and safety.








Opposite the front of the chapter room (looking toward Henderson) - huge window, lots of natural light.










Wide side wall of chapter room (looking toward the back of our parking lot) - tons of more natural light.



Last but not least, the view from one of the chapter room doors (looking toward the front door of the house).

Send me your house pictures

I'll humor myself for a moment and assume that at least someone is reading this blog. So, for those of you who are - will you please email me photos from inside or outside of the sorority house? Maybe your room when you lived there or a photo from 6am before a Recruitment party in the dining room? Anything that shows the house as it "was." It didn't occur to me to take a million pictures of the house before construction began, but wouldn't it be cool if I could put together a slide show of before and afters? Send photos to flowers.jennifer@gmail.com with the subject line "Blog house pictures." Thanks!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Phase I loan is closed!

Michelle Rosenthal is my hero. She persisted and got International Headquarters' approval. And, as of this past Monday, the loan for Phase I of the renovation has been closed on!

Elizabeth Hutcheson and Bona Fide are keeping the momentum going...

Our next HCB meeting is this Sunday, June 7th. I'll aim to share more pictures after that.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

IH Approval and the Study is GONE!

Michelle shared word today that International Headquarters has given us their blessing to close on the loan for this project. IH is not guaranteeing the loan, nor are they funding the project in any way as of yet, but we still needed their approval in order to keep things kosher with policy. That was our last hurdle before closing, so now we are good to go in that department.



Here are the latest exterior shots of the house. The foundation is poured, folks. This is a HUGE step!!






Notice the lumber that's off to the side of the work site - that's for framing, which is next. Also, notice we've removed the back room of the house - this is where the new entrance will be.



Taking a trip down memory lane... The room that has been removed is what younger sisters have most recently called their lounge/snack room. When I lived in the house ('01-'02 and '03-'04), this poor little space multi-tasked like it was nobody's business. We used it as a private study, storage, CLC bedroom, and even temporarily as a sister's bedroom in a pinch situation. Wonder what it was used for before all of that? This room was always in transition but inevitably ended up as the dumping ground for random storage items. I vividly remember the year I was a Recruitment co-chair for House Tours Committee and spent the summer doing random chores throughout the house with (sweet and oober-dedicated) committee members. One project was to clean and paint the study. But before we did, I took pictures of it. This is the room that is now gone forever! Farwell, study!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

The Permit & Progress










Just in case you are still in disbelief this renovation is actually happening... Here's the official building permit!



The rebar for the new addition is in place. I've seen the design on paper, but seeing this picture really puts into perspective the size of the addition! The main level addition will be the chapter room, and then upstairs (the addition as well as the current back five, back-4-girl, president's bathroom and back bathroom) will all be transformed into 2- and 3-bedroom rooms with a new bathroom.




The old main level powder room is no more! This space will completely transform and essentially be the location for vending machines that will close off from the hall with a door. A fantastic alternative to the otherwise constantly trashed study/CLC room/lounge. But I digress...




One last homage to those of you who shared my sentimentality of seeing the deck removed... Rest more peacefully knowing that all of that old decking is going to a good home. It's off to be recycled!


Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Making it legal...

The old adage, "Many hands make light work" does not seem to have applied here.


Despite the multifaceted support of collegians, parents, alumnae, neighbors, architects, contractors and so many others, this project's weight has seemed crushing. In 2007 and 2008, in light of the city-imposed Greek-build moratorium and a withering economy, it would have been forgivable to shrug off this project another decade. But we did not! Fighting for city approval, persistently seeking more capital campaign contriubtions, surmounting bed & parking restrictions, finding a lender, finessing logistics to keep the house open during construction... every step of this project has been a challenge. But now comes a benchmark we can all find great achievement and refreshment in...


WE ARE OFFICIALLY CLOSING ON THE LOAN!


You may be wondering, how is this happening AFTER breaking ground? Because of the contributions we have collected from capital campaign pledges, we were able to begin demolition/construction prior to closing the loan. And thank goodness, because our window for Phase I is miniscule - from the day girls moved out of the house for summer until the days just prior to Recruitment, that's less than 3 months. Our contractor, Bona Fide, has been amazing to accomodate this unique timeframe and we are so grateful!

Monday, May 18, 2009

Deck-less.



The deck is officially gone. And apparently there were some prizes hidden underneath!

I'm trying to remember how long the deck has been a part of the property; it's been a while. The nostalgic part of me must admit, I'm sad to see it go... That's where my now husband dropped me off after our blind first date 8 years ago, where Jenny Houston & her tea pitcher shared Gamma Phi folklore, the spot where I learned I'd been chosen as an Orientation Leader, the ramp we all used after late nights downtown... There are a lot of good memories from that shabby ole' deck.


BUT, in its place -- and as you can see from the clay square where there is no asphalt -- will be a CHAPTER ROOM!!!! The chapter room will be much bigger than the deck ever was - it will comfortably hold at least 150 seats.


And, see in the picture where the siding has been removed -- where the old study/break room/CLC sleeping room window is? That will be the new gorgeous back entrance to the house. Outside of this entrance is where the engraved brick pavers from donors will be.


We are pending to close the loan for Phase One construction costs this week. Michelle Rosenthal is going to Athens to sign everything on behalf of HCB, and with my power of attorney. This past weekend HCB met to vote on things like flooring choices, door & window choices, plumbing fixtures, hardware... More on those choices later.

Monday, May 11, 2009

A Groundbreaking Moment

During my freshman year at UGA I was told our sorority house would be renovated. Nine years later, here we are, and by no small miracle, construction on the major renovation project has begun. Here is a picture of the construction trailer and the fencing that is up at the house now.

You're probably thinking that the title of this posting was chosen because earth has literally been turned at 397 S. Milledge. And while that is true, a further anomaly is occuring... I am blogging. For the first time in my life. This is what Gamma Phi has inspired. :)

My goal is to post at least weekly. I'll include pictures whenever possible because, let's be honest, that's really what we are all most interested in seeing... real, tangible progress! Serving on House Corporation Board (HCB) gives me incredible access to resources and I'll do my best to keep you in the loop, but feel free to post comments or questions.


The HCB President Michelle Hood Rosenthal describes the construction project in two phases, the first of which broke ground today:

"PHASE ONE began today and will be all new construction on the back of the house. This will include the new entry way, chapter room and vending closet on the first floor. The five new bedrooms and a bathroom on the second floor will be framed out and the plumbing/electrical will be completed. Phase one will also include redoing the parking lot and site as well as improving the overall electrical system, HVAC system and sprinkler systems for the entire house. Phase one will come to a stop for recruitment on August 1st and then resume with some finishing work when school starts to be completed by Christmas Break. The chapter room will have its certificate of occupancy by this deadline but the new second floor will not be used until the following school year.
"PHASE TWO will begin in May 2010 and this will be the renovation of the existing bedrooms on the second floor to tie them to the new construction. A laundry area on the first floor will also be included in phase two. The total project will be completed by recruitment in August 2010! Working this project into two phases allows the girls to live and have access to the house for the 2009-2010 school year."

Stay tuned. There is SO much more to post...

Followers

About Me

I pledged in 2000, and that's when I first heard we were going to renovate the house. I graduated in 2004, moved to Atlanta where I now live with my fellow UGA grad (and AKL advisor) hubby Eric. Since 2006, I've been volunteering with HCB. I have been an Atlanta-area Realtor for the past 3 years and now also serve as the southeastern property manager for Chick-fil-A, Inc. You can reach me at: flowers.jennifer@gmail.com