Renovation of the Physical Plant
At 81 years young, our House was constructed long before the internet, fire suppression systems, expensive gas and electricity, and security needs. Additionally, we own and maintain the Hintz Chapter Annex at 517 S. Garner Street as housing for senior brothers. The living areas and sleeping rooms of these locations require modernizations to keep Omicron appealing to today’s undergraduates, who have a large selection of modern, affordable and convenient housing options both on and off campus. Vital components – the “bones and veins” of our facilities – need to be continually renovated or replaced. Most of us have owned a house, perhaps several, and we know the amount of continual upkeep and renewal necessary. Imagine the needs for a facility used by over 80 young men eating, sleeping, studying, and playing 24-7!
Our Plan
We have a plan that will take Omicron forward for the next decade and beyond. It was designed to meet the physical plant, living condition, and academic needs for both today’s and tomorrow’s undergraduates. It also improves Omicron’s competitive posture as we compete for members among 49 other fraternities, PSU dormitories, and a myriad of other housing options.
Restore Fraternal Mansion – $178,000: Restore the common areas on the first floor, including the club room, library, foyer (front), staircase, and second floor landing to their original appearance with furnishing styles and materials. This entails replacing the flooring (including sub-floor); replacing all crown and baseboards with stained moldings to match new flooring; rebuilding the main staircase and second floor landing in a matching style; furnishing and carpeting the rooms with heavy duty furniture that approximates the original 1930s styles; providing period ceiling lighting fixtures; rehabilitating the fireplace to working and safe condition; replacing original glass interior doors in the front outer foyer; installing new period radiator covers and window treatments; and installing recognition plaques for donors to this and earlier capital campaigns.
Dining Room – $65,000: Restore by refinishing the flooring; replacing crown and baseboard moldings with stained oak; rehabilitating the original four dining room tables; replacing the seating with captain’s chairs at the head and foot of each table with benches along each side; and expanding seating capacity to 50 by adding a fifth dining table. The original oak French doors would be replaced between the dining room and foyer, and the dining room and library. We would also replace or refinish existing doors to the fire tower and kitchen to match decor, and install new period radiator covers and window treatments.
Kitchen/House Mother’s Room – $224,000: Rehabilitate completely to improve functionality and increase capacity to meet today’s needs for meal preparations. We would replace the subfloor and 1950s tile floor; install floor drains; reconfigure layout, appliances and machinery (some of which dates to the 1950s); adjust electrical and plumbing facilities; relocate and replace walk-in refrigerator; and provide matching dishware, glassware, and silverware.
Party Room – $20,000: Renovate as appropriate; provide adequate ventilation; improve beverage serving area configuration and plumbing; replace existing ceiling and lighting; and restore the front steps and lighting from foyer to the basement.
Second Floor Bathroom – $118,000: Completely rehabilitate, similar to approach used in 2011 for third floor bathroom. We will also replace all w alls, ceilings, fixtures, and most plumbing; install individual shower stalls; install an on-demand hot water heater; and upgrade to meet building and safety codes.
Sleeping Rooms – $156,000 ($6,000 each): Renovate all sleeping rooms (2nd and 3rd floors), including wall and ceiling repair/replacement, ceiling lighting fixtures, replace 1950s tile floor, upgrade to individual room HVAC system to reduce utility costs and provide proper HVAC functions. Upgrade as necessary to building and safety codes. Undergraduate residents will remain responsible for providing furniture for their rooms.
Annex Renovation Project – $20,000
Additional Bathroom: Rehabilitate second full bathroom with shower stall in basement.
Renovation of Kitchen: Replace flooring, cabinets, and appliances.
Heating System Renovations: Renovate by converting present natural gas system from steam to hot water, replacing all radiators, and improving heat distribution throughout the structure.
