Former Delta Zeta house to be demolished

This summer, yet another old Greek house will be removed from campus. \nThe former Delta Zeta sorority house, standing at 809 E. Seventh St., is set to be demolished before the fall semester begins. Unlike the situation surrounding the razing of the former Kappa Sigma house on Third Street, Bloomington's Historic Preservation Commission is pleased with the future for the former DZ site. During the next year, construction will begin on a new $3 million building for the Hutton Honors College. \n"Honestly, we're pretty excited that the Hutton Honors College is going to be there," said Jeannine Butler, a commissioner of the Historic Preservation. \nThe former sorority was once occupied by IU offices but has been vacant for the past several years. Butler said that although the house is definitely historic, it is not especially significant. \n"It's in pretty sad repair," she said. "We're looking at the greater good of the neighborhood."\nButler was also pleased with the effort IU made in contacting the commission.\n"This is one of the few times when IU has planned to demolish a building that the architect has really done a good job of communicating with us," she said. \nIU's architect, Bob Meadows, approached the commission about the project two to three years ago, a process that did not happen with the recent destruction of the Kappa Sigma house. \n"We're really pleased with the communication (on this project)," Butler said. "We hope it continues." \nHutton Honors College Dean Karen Hanson said demolition of the house is scheduled to take place this summer. \n"We've prepared a detailed account of our space and program needs, and the architects have prepared designs," Hanson said. \nIf all goes well, the HHC staff is hoping to occupy the new location during the 2007-08 academic year. \nCurrently, the HHC is divided between two small houses on Jordan Avenue. Since its inception in 2001, the HHC has had to deal with this awkward arrangement. \n"There's not enough space for some of our student activities and campus events," Hanson said. "Our staff has to trek between the two buildings, no matter the weather, to communicate directly." \nOnce the new building is complete, the staff of the HHC will be dealing with a much more convenient design. Besides being all under one roof, Hanson said there will be much more space for student activities, with a lounge, study space and a dedicated seminar room.\nEdward L. Hutton, a previous donor to the honors college, is providing the funds for the new building.\n"The new HHC building will beautify one of the gateways to campus and it will serve as a center for a lot of exciting activities," Hanson said. "We are very grateful to Mr. Hutton for making this possible." \nThe new building will be similar in design to the Indiana Memorial Union, which resides across the street. This is another source of comfort for the preservation commission members, as the design will compliment the neighborhood. The new HHC will be built in collegiate gothic style with a limestone exterior and a slate roof. \nWith little protest surrounding the destruction of the old DZ house, its former residents still feel the loss of seeing a place with so much history disappear. \nNancy Van Horn, a resident of the DZ house from 1950 to 1952, said she has a lot of memories from her sorority house. \n"I remember the initiations, the parties, the pinnings," she said. "We just had a lot of fun in that house, and they're good memories." \nWhile attending her 50th reunion in 2002, Van Horn stopped by to take pictures of her former house. \n"I'm glad I saw it before it gets torn down," she said. "It makes me sad, but I'm sure they're going to put it to better use"