Renovations inspire Greek revival on campus

Published: Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at 6:01 a.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, August 19, 2014 at 7:17 p.m.

Tau Mansion, with its striking facade, distinctive dormers and colonnade-framed entrance, has been home to thousands of fraternity brothers during the 73 years it has stood across from the entrance to the University of Florida.

We who have been members of this fraternity have always been fond of that structure, said John Marion, president of the chapter house corporation and chairman of the board of trustees.

But the house was aging. It had sprung leaks. It had chronic problems that led alumni to long discussions about whether to renovate their beloved house or tear it down and rebuild. They ultimately decided to renovate because of their fondness for the quirky old mansion.

It couldn't be duplicated under current building codes, said Marion, who was chapter president in 1978 during his second to last year at UF. He graduated in 1979.

The Tau Mansion is one of two major renovations of Greek houses this summer. Kappa Kappa Gamma, a sorority house two blocks down the road, completed a new residential wing in time for fall recruitment.

Those renovations are part of an unusually high amount of construction activity along a highly visible and bustling section of Southwest 13th Street. Other projects include the construction of Heavener Hall and Cypress Hall on the UF campus, and the construction at Trimark Properties that has closed off Southwest Third Avenue for most of the summer.

At least 18 of the 39 houses are undergoing modifications and improvements of one type or another most of them minor upgrades, new paint jobs and roofs, up to kitchen remodels.

We're excited as a university to see the investment of various fraternities and sororities, because it means the students are interested in these houses, said Jeanna Mastrodicasa, assistant vice president for student affairs.

Greek life is on the upswing at UF, despite some negative publicity in recent years about hazing and other conduct violations that led to disciplinary actions against several houses.

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Renovations inspire Greek revival on campus