By
Kristopher Califano
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Official opening in Jan., but members will move in during winter break
The Rorbach Construction company is putting the finishing touches on the Delta Tau Delta fraternity house.
The house, which was originally scheduled for completion Nov. 1, will be done no later than Dec. 1, said Nick Papinkolas, Rorbach Construction supervisor.
"The renovations are 95 percent complete, the floors and carpet still need to be put in," said Paul Anderson, DTD vice president.
The Rorbach Construction company has done the renovations, which include electrical and plumbing work, putting up sheet rock and interior walls, installing ethernet connections and putting brand new air-conditioning units in every room.
"There have been no snags in the project, nothing we couldn't handle," Papinkolas said.
The exterior walls of the house were not renovated due to building restrictions. The City of Tucson has declared the house, which was built in the 1800s, a historic monument.
"It has been a slow but steady process. We have really seen the building come together," said Papinkolas.
The renovation project ran into minor problems before construction due to a fire that occurred while the house was for sale. Delta Tau Delta bought the property on 1050 N. Cherry Ave. from the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity after the organization lost university recognition.
The renovation project has been on track ever since construction began in May, Anderson said.
The house will have the same architectural layout with a few different additions. The members' living quarters will also be expanded. The Delta Tau Delta house, worth about $1.5 million, will accommodate the housing of 52 members.
"Prospective members and parents of active members have visited the house and sounded optimistic, they had a lot of positive comments," Papinkolas said.
The fraternity members are planning to move into the new house during winter break and start living there Dec. 15.
"It has been a long time coming and the entire chapter is excited to see the house become a reality," said Michael Hetke, DTD president.
Some members, including Intrafraternity Council President Jeff Evans, have been looking forward to moving in to the house for two years.
"I think it looks beautiful, its going to be as really nice house," Evans said.
The fraternity will host open dinners and other events to celebrate moving into their new house.
"January 13th is the official opening," Hetke said. "We are inviting alumni, national officers, and campus officials to the event."
