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University Daily Kansan / Thursday, March 19. 1992
Old Theta Chi house's future depends on driveway
By Andy Taylor
Kansan staff writer
Lawrence city commissioners and a Salina architect are standing on shaky foundation about the future of the abandoned Theta Chi fraternity house near Ninth Street and Emery Road.
John Shaver, the architect and owner of the property, said he wanted to demolish the gutted concrete structure and construct condominiums.
He said a developer, College Housing Group from Roanoke, Texas, could start construction immediately.
Shaver, who has owned the property for four years, told the commissioners Tuesday night that a key factor for building and selling the condominiums was the
easy access to Emery Road.
"If the people can't get off Emery, we can't do the development," he said.
But commissioners, who tabled voting on Shaver's plan until Tuesday, expressed concern that the private driveway leading to Emery Road was too steep and that slick pavement might cause problems for cars and city vehicles. The driveway has a 15 percent slope.
According to city ordinances, the maximum slope for new street construction is 10 percent, but streets with greater slopes exist in Lawrence. For example, 11th and 13th streets between Ohio and Louisiana streets have 15 percent slopes.
Commissioner John Nalbandian said he would not vote in favor of the construction plans unless the architect developed
an alternative route to the proposed condominiums.
"Emery Road is the only access to the structure, and I think it will be unsafe during the winter," he said.
sports
Bill Mitchell, 120, Emery Road, said he opposed Shaver's plan because it would increase traffic in the neighborhood.
Shaver's plan calls for the construction of 24 housing units with 74 parking spaces.
"I'm concerned about anybody who would funnel traffic onto Emery Road," he said yesterday. "That will pour right into our neighborhood."
Although commissioners dubbed the concrete structure an eyesore, Mitchell said he would like to see the building refurbished.
"If I had any druthers, I would like to rehab the place," he said. "By buldozling it, someone can get more money out of it." This will cause more people, more rent and ultimately more money in the pocket of the developer."
Shaver will try to return to the meeting next week with revised plans for a driveway to the condominiums, said Sheila Stogsdall, city planner.
"We'll review his plans and make a recommendation to the city," she said.
The Theta Chi house, built in 1959, was abandoned in 171 after years of lack of interest in fraternity living.
The Lawrence landmark, with its steel beams and concrete walls visible from Ninth Street, has become known for its graffiti and rumors of Satanic worship
The old Theta Chi house sits near Ninth Street and Emery Road
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