With approval by Southeast Missouri State University's board of regents Friday, university staff will move forward with designing and finalizing financing options for a Greek village.

In December, the board approved the feasibility of a Greek village concept and gave administrators the OK to pursue design development on nine acres on the west side of North Sprigg Street.

In February, the board reviewed conceptual design options and draft site plans and authorized university staff to complete design development and negotiate lease terms with interested Greek organizations.

Kathy Mangels, vice president of finance and administration, along with representatives from Hollis and Miller Architects, presented design plans at Friday's meeting and also discussed projected costs.

Since February's meeting, university staff and architect consultants have met with members of four Greek organizations who expressed interest and the financial ability to lease four houses that would be built as the first phase of the project.

Mangels said those organizations include Sigma Nu, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Chi and Sigma Phi Epsilon -- all of which had a say in how their houses would be designed and where they would be placed.

Other Greek organizations also have expressed interest in a second phase of the Greek housing project, she said, which includes constructing up to three more buildings at the site.

Each house would have beds for 22 to 35 students, who have to be at the sophomore level or above, and would cost about $2 million. The organizations would lease the houses, and the money paid to the university would go toward debt service.

The development of a Greek village is part an effort to increase student participation in Greek life that began in fall 2013, officials said.

The group housing area at Southeast, known as Greek Hill, is nearly full, and a Greek village would provide space for new and existing chapters, according to officials.

Since the project began, however, it has drawn criticism from local preservationists who hoped to see two historic homes at the site be incorporated into the Greek village.

But Greystone Estate, built in 1921, was razed at the development site in March. Built by J.W. Gerhardt, a well-known contractor, the home was the first country club in Cape Girardeau. Greystone was used for years by Southeast fraternities, but was closed last year when problems were found with the roof, water infiltration and ductwork.

A second home, known as the Ochs-Shivelbine House, also will be razed as the project proceeds. Ochs-Shivelbine was built between 1917 and 1921 and recently was placed on the Cape Girardeau Endangered Buildings list.

Mangels said bringing the home up to current codes would have included major renovations and cost more than $400,000. Ochs-Shivelbine is leased to Sigma Nu, but also would require major fixes to infrastructure to remain habitable.

During the presentation, Mangels said cost estimates for the Greek housing project were prepared based on final floor plans approved by each Greek organization.

The total cost estimate, including site work, furnishing, architectural fees and a 10 percent construction contingency, is about $8.8 million.

Draft lease agreements have been shared with each organization, and they have provided feedback. A construction schedule calls for bids this summer, with a contract to be awarded in early fall.

The site would be developed, and four houses would be constructed over two years. The additional two to three houses would be completed for occupancy by the fall 2016 semester, and the remaining one to two houses completed in fall 2017.

Mangels said final site plans, leases and financing will be presented for final approval at the board's June meeting.

klamb@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, Mo.