Kappa Sigma house set to be razed

IU opened the old Kappa Sigma house at 1503 E. Third St. Monday, but not for a fraternity.\nMoving one step closer to the abandoned house's demolition, local construction contractors were given tours of the building to evaluate the cost of demolition. Other contractors looked at the cost of asbestos removal.\nThe house is scheduled for demolition sometime after the spring 2006 semester. University officials said they hope to complete demolition and debris removal by mid-summer.\nIU Assistant Vice President and University Architect Robert Meadows, after viewing the house, said it is up to contractors to submit a bid to demolish the house. IU will open bids Friday for the demolition.\nMeadows said the land will probably be used for a new residence hall quadrangle, consisting mostly of apartments.\nMany residents of Bloomington and IU community members have stepped forward in opposition to the demolition of the house. Several greek groups have expressed interest in using the house, and the Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission issued a notarized resolution this week requesting that the University "delay the immediate plans to demolish 1503 East Third Street and take time to consider the multiple alternatives for the future use of (the house)."\nWhile the house is not designated on any surveys as a historical site, it is listed as a "notable" building on several Bloomington surveys.\nThe Bloomington Historic Preservation Commission resolution cites several reasons to save the house, including its historical significance and the possibility of renovating the house for use as a fraternity house or office building.\nMeadows said it is unlikely that the members of the IU board of trustees, who have already met with opposition groups and voted to demolish the house, will change their minds about demolishing the building.\n"The only thing that could really change the situation is the trustees," Meadows said. "It's been before the trustees twice, and they chose to continue with the demolition."\nBefore their March meetings, the trustess met with several students, including IU Student Association representative Jordan Loeb.. Loeb said it is disheartening to see that the trustees are still going ahead with the demolition, but he understands that the house might be beyond renovation. A proponent of additional greek housing on campus, Loeb said the land should stay a part of the greek community.\n"I'm hoping this will let the trustees know that we need more greek housing," Loeb said. "If the trustees have really heard what we had to say, they would use that land for a new greek house."\nLoeb was the sponsor of an IUSA resolution to keep the house, but IUSA did not meet a quorum at its last meeting and could not vote on the resolution. \nThe house, built in 1926 for Kappa Sigma fraternity, was used as greek housing until 1964 when the University bought it. IU officials thought about renovating the building and using it for offices but decided against remodeling.\nIU graduate and Kappa Sigma member Hoagy Carmichael, a jazz musician who attended IU before the house was built in the 1920s, visited it several times.