More parking in Greektown

The parking lot sits on the site of Gamma Phi Beta sorority's old annex.

By Anna Koeppel

Published Aug. 24, 2007

Gamma Phi Beta sorority has lost an annex and gained a parking lot.

Gamma Phi Beta's House Corporation Board unanimously voted about two years ago to tear down the adjoining building to its house and offer spaces to students involved in Greek Life and looking to park in Greektown.

Shelli Thelen, who serves on the board as the chapter adviser, said the chapter has long-term plans for the house regarding maintenance, and the annex was due for "more than paint." The chapter and its House Corporation Board decided to tear down the annex after surveyors looked at it and felt that due to the age of the building and the logistics of the city block, tearing it down would be more beneficial than renovating it.

In addition, the chapter is only eligible for tax deductions on construction projects for educational purposes, such as a study room or library, if they would be attached to the chapter's house.

"If we were going to build anything, it would be beneficial to add to the existing house and not the annex," Thelen said.

Thelen said the chapter had to present its plan to the Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission and to the Gamma Phi Beta International Headquarters for approval.

Demolition on the annex began about a year ago, Gamma Phi Beta President Ellie Mills said. Members living in the annex were told that living there was not going to be an option in the future, so they were prepared for finding new living arrangements.

"The girls knew it wasn't going to be available," Thelen said. "We tried to gradually phase it in."

Mills said the chapter offered spaces in the parking lot via e-mail to Gamma Phi Beta members first and then contacted other chapter presidents to offer leftover spots to other members of the Greek community.

Mills said about eight spaces were left after Gamma Phi Beta members had the opportunity to purchase spaces. All spaces are full now, she said, and the chapter charges $500 per semester for a spot.

Thelen said the fees paid by students parking in the Gamma Phi Beta lot will go toward paying for the costs of its construction.

Mills said the chapter has not yet made a decision on what the money will be used for once the construction is paid for.

"That decision will be taken care of when the time comes," Mills said.

Thelen declined to comment on when the project would be paid for.

"It's a long-term plan," she said. "It isn't something that will be paid off immediately."

Thelen said the chapter took costs of maintaining the parking lot, such as repairing potholes and removing snow and ice, into account when considering the decision to build.

The Alpha Epsilon Pi and FarmHouse fraternities also offer parking spaces to students who are not members of their chapters. Alpha Epsilon Pi rents about 40-50 spaces to non-members for $500 per semester, said chapter president Max Hyman. Representatives from FarmHouse could not be reached for comment.