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Last May, a drunk driver crashed into the front of Chi Omega. The wreck put an enormous hole in the house and caused severe damage to the interior and exterior of the home.
Six months later, the house has not been fixed and a large gray tarp hangs over the hole. Not only has this become a horrible eye sore for the faculty and students at the University of Kansas, but it has also created an enormous amount of problems for the members of Chi Omega.
“We are constantly having heating and cooling issues, glass and debris are wedged into the cracks of the floor and the piano, part of the house is blocked off and it was a major issue during Fall Formal Recruitment,” said Becca Ingraham, Chi Omega executive.
With such irritating problems, Chi Omega has been working to get the damage fixed as quickly as possible.
“Getting the house fixed has taken longer than any of us ever expected. Over the past six months we have run into a lot of problems that have postponed construction,” said Ingraham.
Chi Omega was built in 1925 and is considered a Historic Landmark in Lawrence. As a historic home, the Lawrence Historic Resources Commission must approve all construction.
“In order for Chi Omega to abide by the commission’s guidelines, specialized bricks, paneling and limestone blocks had to be ordered. We placed the order shortly after the accident, but it still took a couple of months to get in,” Ingraham said.
Once August rolled around, construction was ready to begin. However, Chi Omega ran into Fall Formal Recruitment and had to postpone the project until Fall Break because no members would be in the house.
“As soon as the house closed for break and the members were out, we set up shop and worked 12 hour days. But with Chi Omega being so old and needing specialized construction, four days was not long enough,” said John Strebeck, Harris Construction Company employee.
With the construction continuously being postponed, the Chi Omega House Corporation finally gave up on getting the house fixed when all of the members would be on a break. Throughout November, construction will take place everyday until the job is finished.
“After six long months, I think everyone is ready for the gray tarp to come down. Things are definitely speeding up this month, but it will still take a little time. It just takes time,” said Ingraham.