Members of the Kappa Sigma fraternity had to leave their Hilltop Avenue house in December after it failed to meet fire safety codes. Photo by Emily Coovert | Staff
The members of Kappa Sigma will start renovations soon, moving forward in the effort to return to the fraternity’s Hilltop Avenue home.
The Kappa Sigma house received an unannounced fire inspection in December following a complaint on house conditions, UK Assistant Fire Marshal Greg Williamson told the Kernel in December.
Williamson found multiple fire and life-safety violations: Eight doors were not operating properly, furniture was in the stairway blocking exit access, candles were in the house, bicycles were stored in the house potentially blocking exit access, windows were covered with flammable material and electrical wire was exposed.
Within about a week the fire marshal will go through the Kappa Sigma house for a walk through to make a list of violations that remain, said Kappa Sigma President Roddy McCleary.
McCleary said the total cost of renovations will be between $50,000 to $100,000. Renovations will begin soon and continue over the summer so the house will be ready for the Fall 2009 semester, he said.
Kappa Sigma will be given the money needed for repairs and for construction of a new house by the fraternity’s alumni association, McCleary said. Kappa Sigma will receive between $3 to $5 million to build its new location.
Kappa Sigma has begun negotiating housing contracts for the fall semester. For the next three to five years, the fraternity will remain in its house at 460 Hilltop Ave. while blueprints are being drawn up for a new house and a new location is decided on, McCleary said.
Kappa Sigma members living in the house were offered placement in the residence halls, but McCleary said none took UK’s offer.
Members are now living off campus at different locations. Royal Lexington and Newtown Crossing both allowed the fraternity members to sign six-month leases.
Recent Comments