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Archive for April, 2011

Drywall to start next week, really.

Posted in 2nd old, 3rd old, 4th floor, building codes on April 28, 2011|

Drywall in 3rd old hallway - will start next week.

You may notice “drywall is scheduled to begin next week” in a few of the recent posts – the project ran into a few structural delays that caused this to be postponed – but next week, drywall will start on the old side. Really, it is going to happen.

The delays were caused due the notching that occurred in bathroom floor joists to accommodate various plumbing repairs and renovations over the past 80 years and fire safety code issues from the original 1931 framing.   These issues have been resolved.

Metal door frames and insulation was installed this week. The metal door frames will save a significant amount of money in future are easier to maintain.  The insulation will help with utility bills and help make Phi Gam a little ‘greener’.

Special thank you to Jerry Solomon (Nebraska 1951) for his assistance in identifying photos of Lambda Nu’s Lettermen and Innocents Society members. There are still several photos that are unknown. Please take a look and let us know if you recognize these Brothers.

A very exciting photo of a new metal door jamb installed for room 201. 

Insulation being installed in room 300 (northeast corner of 3rd floor)

Fireblocking installed in room 401 (old 4South).  This prevents fire from spreading in the walls and between floors.

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We Remember!

Posted in history on April 21, 2011|

The construction has slowed a bit as we continue to work through building code issues. The City of Lincoln is requiring additional repairs and modifications to bring the building up to current building codes — part of the joy of renovating an 80 year-old building. Drywall and door frames have been delivered and hopefully will go up next week.

During the demolition, the “More Phi Gam, Less Self” bronze plaque was found. It is our understanding that this use to hang on one of the doors. The Board felt this is a great message and decided to have it hung on the right exterior column for our undergraduates to see as they exit the building.

Since this project required all the fraternity property to be removed from the building, the House Corporation is taking advantage of the opportunity to cull our records and organize our photographs. We have two projects we need your help:

  1. Identifying people in photographs.
  2. Providing a copy of composites or class pictures.

Lambda Nu’s Nebraska Lettermen and Innocents
The chapter has a nice collection of pre-1950 Letterman and Innocent Society members. The house corporation plans to display these photographs. If you were a Lettermen or Innocent Society member and your picture is not included in this online gallery, we would love to include it. Email pgd@unl.edu and we will figure out how to get a copy.

Some of our photos are unidentified – other than we know they are a Letterman based off the letter in the photo. If you recognize any of these photos – post their name and we can look up their class year.

Composites photographs
The chapter has 36 composites or class photographs that have been scanned. The House Corporation would like to have a full set to display in the chapter house. If your composite, or class picture, is not included and you have a copy, please email the house corporation at pgd@unl.edu.

Photos from this week:

New electrical distribution is roughed in. Taken in the basement at the bottom of the old stairs.

Housemother’s kitchenette plumbing rough-in on the west wall of the housemother’s living room.  Counters will be installed between the windows and bedroom door.

New metal door fames – no more broken door jams.

Drywall has arrived!  Hopefully it will be installed next week.

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We get to keep the railing!

Posted in basement, building codes, plumbing on April 13, 2011|

One of the ‘fun’ aspects of a major remodel project is that everything has to be brought up to current building codes.  One of the code requirements we didn’t think about was the height of the wrought iron railing. This original 1931 railing goes from the basement to 4th floor – and is not high enough to meet current code. Thankfully, the City of Lincoln recognizing that the primary user of this railing is young men in the prime of their life, we received special permission to keep the existing railing.

Unfortunately, we are not as lucky in a few other areas.  Due to the various bathroom remodels over the past 80 plus years – some of the bathroom floor joist had significant notches cut in them to accommodate plumbing.  While a new 2 x 12 has been placed next to the old joist, the city wants our engineers to review to ensure they are structurally sound.  We’re also waiting to see if we will have to install the special fire rated windows next to the fire escape…stay tuned.

If we are able to resolve these issues – insulation and drywall should start next week. 

The plumbing rough-ins for 3rd old bathroom sinks.  The sinks will be on the south wall — where the showers were located.

The rough in for the new washer/dryer on second floor.  This is in the hallway between the old and new side of the building.

the floor is being built up in what was the bedroom area of B1.  This will be a new study/computer room.  The west door that leads to the back lot will be removed and the stairwell filled in as the electical service is updated to the building.

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Rough-ins nearly complete!

Posted in 2nd old, 3rd old, mechanical systems on April 7, 2011|

1964 electrical service -- will be replaced as part of the renovation

Most of the electrical, plumbing and fire sprinkler rough-ins in the 1931 building are complete. Unless you are into photographs of wires and pipes, there isn’t that much to see. Inspections, insulation and drywall should start next week.

This project will completely update all the electrical service in the building. The existing service of 600 amps is not sufficient for modern needs. The large electrical panels in the back of what was room B2 will be replaced, along with the sub panels on each floor.

Shower stalls have been installed in the 2nd and 3rd old bathrooms. The bathrooms will have a new layout. Each bathroom will have two private showers stalls with private dressing areas. The 2nd floor bathroom will have two private toilet stalls and the third floor will have a private toilet and urinal. The 1964 addition will have two showers, two toilets and a urinal in each bathroom. These will be done over the summer.

Taken in the southeast corner of what was B2 – this will become the buildings electrical service room and a new study center/computer lab.

3rd old bathroom — the showers stalls have been installed. 

Taken in the northeast corner of 2nd floor — looking into the new room 200. The electrical and plumbing rough-ins are nearly complete.

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