Plan for Greek housing advances, but draws fire from preservationists

Editor's Note: Dates for the building of the Shivelbine and Greystone houses have been corrected below. Also, a caption about Greystone was corrected to say the home is leased by Sigma Phi Epsilon.

An idea to create a housing option specifically for Greek students at Southeast Missouri State University was advanced by the board of regents Saturday but is drawing fire from residents who worry Greystone Estate and the Shivelbine House will be demolished.

The board approved a conceptual design Saturday and authorized a design development at a nine-acre site on the west side of North Sprigg Street, where the houses are. Officials also will explore financing options and negotiate lease terms with Greek organizations

If the plan goes through, the two houses, owned by the university, will be razed. They have been used as residences by two fraternities for many years, although Greystone, built in 1921, was closed last year when issues were found with the roof, water infiltration and ductwork.

While both properties are large, they were not originally designed to house 15 to 20 beds, the university reported in the minutes of its December meeting. Because the cost estimate for repairing Greystone was more than $400,000, it was not considered economically feasible.

The Greystone Estate, built in 1921 and leased by Sigma Phi Epsilon, was used for years by fraternities but is closed because of roof and ductwork problems. (Submitted)

Shivelbine, built between 1917 and 1921, is leased to Sigma Nu, but also would require major fixes to infrastructure to remain habitable, the university said.

University officials said they looked at options to complete renovations to the houses or to start a new construction project that replaces the houses but provides the opportunity for future expansion of Greek housing on campus.

Until a decision made by the board of regents in December, more focus was placed on another site for the Greek Village.

A 25-acre tract south of Bertling Street and east of North Sprigg Street was considered, but a firm working on a feasibility study for Greek housing found too many potential issues with the land, including it being in a floodplain.

Southeast President Kenneth Dobbins said the plan at the nine-acre site was a better financial decision because the fraternities interested in leasing the housing units likely couldn't take on the cost associated with work needed at the 25-acre site.

While the area around the existing Greystone and Shivelbine houses isn't as expansive, the university said there is adjacent ground that could be used to provide for expansion.

The site could take advantage of access from the Show Me Center parking lots and the track drive to provide additional parking and drive access.

The area could accommodate up to seven houses, in addition to parking and green space, according to the university. If allowed to move forward by the board, discussions with Greek organizations would include their desired location on the site and green space and on-site recreational amenities.

Three Greek organizations, all fraternities, are prepared to lease the new housing from Southeast in the coming years, officials told the board.

The organizations would have the opportunity to design a space that accommodates 20 to 25 students at a total cost per house of $1.8 to $2 million. An initial estimate of the least cost per year to organizations would be $120,000. The money paid to the university would go toward debt service on the housing.

The final floor plans, construction cost estimates and financing options are to be presented to the board for final approval at a May meeting.

Opposition

Scott Shivelbine and his three siblings were raised in the Shivelbine House. His parents bought the home in 1961 and later sold it to the university in 1985.

Since learning of the university's plans, he has become involved in efforts to save the home.

"They're two beautiful old residences in town, and of course I was upset," Shivelbine said of when he learned the houses might be razed. "I hope that the university can find some way to incorporate those for some other use or for part of the Greek Village, if they go ahead with that proposal."

Christine Owen, whose grandfather, J.W. Gerhardt, built the Greystone, launched an online petition that has nearly 700 signatures.

"The university has contributed much to the development of Cape, and is a definite asset to the town," Owen said in an email. "But it should be interested in preserving old and historic buildings and houses in Cape, not destroying them."

Applications to request placing the homes on an endangered buildings list also have been sent to the Cape Girardeau Historic Preservation Committee.

Shivelbine said he sometimes receives calls from fraternity members who live at the house and want to hear ghost stories about the building.

Although he doesn't believe the house is haunted, Shivelbine shares in the fun. He and his older brother used to tell their babysitters the house was haunted by the ghost of the man who built it.

"There's lots of fun stories that went on in that house," he said, recalling family and social gatherings that took place under shade trees in the front yard.

Shivelbine said he recently had the chance to tour the house.

"If someone was going to buy it, or if I was looking at it as a different property not owned by the university, I could see all kinds of potential," he said. "They were built a lot better than new homes are. They were built to last."

klamb@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

1409 N. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

1403 N. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.