Construction Update August 28, 2009

Construction Update

Week of August 23, 2009

Men of Gamma, This week marks a historic event for our fraternity. For the first time since its dedication on October 27, 1928, the Gamma Chapter at 401 East Daniel is starting anew. I am excited to bring you the first photos in what will be a weekly publication on the progress of our restoration. I want to first take this opportunity to introduce a few of the key players. I am T.J. Blakeman ‘99 and I will be your eyes and ears on the ground at Gamma during the course of the project. Our team is led by Chris Disher ‘77. Our general contractor is Hibernian Development of Chicago and they are led by their principal owners Peter Dinneen and Niall Brophy. We have contracted with Ratio Architects of Champaign and the primary architects overseeing the project are Bill Devine and Ed Scopel. Together our development team has been hard at work for over two years to bring you the house you are about to witness being built. Thank you for your continued involvement and enjoy this time.... it is a very good day to be a man of Alpha Kappa Lambda.

T.J. Blakeman, Onsite Owner Representative Pledge Class of 1999 Call with any questions (217) 414-0630

We Still Need Your Help! Although work is underway we have met 90% of our funding goals we must continue our fundraising efforts to complete the project. We are hoping that as you see work underway, that you will feel confident in our progress to continue or begin making generous contributions. 

   

To complete this project we need

$300,000 in hand by December 5, 2009 Visit www.aklgamma.com to contribute

Be sure to join us for our Official Ground Breaking Ceremony October 3, 2009 before the Penn State vs. Illinois game. A reception will be help at the Illini Union Ballroom A later that evening from 7:30-9:30 pm. If you can’t make that, you will always find us on the front lawn of 401 Daniel before every home Illini Football Game with free food and drinks. Tours of the house will be conducted before and after each home football game!

Alpha Kappa Lambda

Gamma Chapter • 401 East Daniel Street Champaign, Illinois 61820

Alpha Kappa Lambda

Photo 1

Photo 2

Security fence has been placed around the entire property

Photo 3 Third House stairway landing.

Photo 4 All of third house has been completely stripped of its plaster walls and ceilings

Photo 6

Photo 5 Final photo of the addition. The demolition of this portion is slated to begin Wednesday, September 2nd. Work has already began on separating the addition from the 1928 structure.

Gamma Chapter View all of the construction photos (updated weekly) at www.aklgamma.com. est. 1921

The chapter room will undergo its make over but will retain its original historic look

Final view of the old kitchen. The new kitchen will be back in its original location off the dining room.

In the first three days of demo, over 30 tons of material have been removed from the house.

Most windows have been removed to allow for debris removal.

If you plan to be in the Champaign-Urbana area and would like to tour the house, please contact me (T.J. Blakeman) at (217) 403-8800 and we schedule a visit.

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 4 Photo 6

Note: 3rd Add is being revised to use this attic space as living quarters.