FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Eta Iota House Corporation of Delta Gamma Fraternity
Contact: Alicia Lerud, President (alicia.lerud@gmail.com)
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA DELTA GAMMA FRATERNITY BUILDING A NEW CHAPTER FACILITY
Reno, NV, June 29, 2020 : Since founding at The University of Nevada, Reno in 2002, the many volunteers serving on the Eta Iota House Corporation of Delta Gamma Fraternity (HIHC) have worked tirelessly to secure permanent housing for the growing Chapter. On June 26, 2020 the Board signed a Lease Agreement with Exclusive Option to Purchase with Ninth Street Properties LLC (NSP) of Reno to build-to-suit a new permanent home for Eta Iota Chapter (Chapter). The new Chapter facility will occupy 3 combined lots, including the original HIHC corner lot at 52 W 9th Street. Their new home will be almost 14,000 square feet serving as a safe gathering space for the 160+ members and housing for 35-40 including a House Director suite. The space also includes parking, a roof garden and will follow green building and technology concerns. HIHC followed the Panhellenic guidelines as recommended by Fraternity Housing Corporation (FHC) for "new chapter housing" with facility and square footage minimums in the design*. NSP hired the architect and builder who were very accommodating in the many plan revisions to comply with our special needs. Chapter occupancy will begin fall semester of 2021.
In 2002, HI HC purchased a home at 52 West 9th Street on the corner of Sierra Street in Reno. The Chapter housed 8-10 women for the first 6 years until maintenance issues and demand for more housing led to renting several larger properties in the area. In 2014, because of prime proximity to the other UNR sororities, HI HC commissioned a full study to determine options and feasibility on the site. Paul Cavin Architect LLC, with input from engineers, City Planners and a thorough review of new zoning and permit requirements, submitted a report of findings to the membership. In summary, it was determined the needs of the Chapter could not be met on this corner lot. On December 17, 2015, the HIHC membership, notified as per FHC and Executive Offices requirements, voted to approve the sale of the Chapter House on 52 West 9th Street to allow flexibility to consider offers and options for new housing.
Several offers to buy or lease the property were made and refused by HIHC board during this time as alternate options were investigated. Chapter used the property as parking for members, and the house sat vacant. In 2017, campus expansion removed two rental properties Chapter was occupying, and an offer to rent the Sigma Nu Fraternity House was declined in favor of another sorority bid. A few months later talks began with the adjacent neighbor when their apartment building was condemned. This neighboring property on West 9th Street was managed by Reno Property Management, a partner in NSP. By 2018, formal discussions began regarding options to build a home for Delta Gamma combining all 3 lots. HIHC retained Catherine Reichenberg, (Alpha Delta - Oregon) a local specialist in Nevada real estate law and partner at Gunderson Law, to oversee and negotiate terms.
With help from NSP, the original Chapter house on the 52 West 9th property was demolished along with adjacent buildings in May 2019 due to health and safety concerns. At the same time, negotiations and plans were progressing with NSP for the custom building on site with a 10 year term and purchase option. In February 2020, the full collegiate Chapter voted in favor of terms and finance implications for the new lease as it impacted their budget and individual members. The 52 W 9th Street lot will be sold to NSP at current professional appraisal value to accommodate the new build.
Over the next few months, HIHC will be forming new committees to manage the tasks to ready the new home. From an Interior Design Committee hiring an ASID Designer to a Fundraising Committee to begin raising capital to buy the property, volunteers are welcome. Please contact Alica Lerud, HIHC president for more information.
Members of HIHC and Chapter are all initiates of Delta Gamma Fraternity founded in 1873. Delta Gamma is an international Fraternity with more than 250,000 members in 153 collegiate chapters and more than 200 alumnae groups. The objects of this Fraternity are to foster high ideals of friendship among women, to promote their educational and cultural interests, to create in them a true sense of social responsibility, and to develop in them the best qualities of character. For Delta Gamma's "Do Good" is more than a motto, it is the driving force in all they do from philanthropy to scholarships.
