Welcome from the MDAA President
Fellow Mu Delta Alum,
The blog is a great way for us to keep in touch with each other as well as for us to keep you updated on the developments of the new Alumni Association and Housing Corp. We are rapidly advancing the sprinkler system situation with the house. We have confirmed with the Planning Department that a NFPA 13 sprinkler system which is top grade; however, the city will allow us to use CPVC piping which is generally cheaper than metal potentially saving us cost. As mentioned in the newsletter, we are initiating a full assessment of the house to determine where things stand after we begin construction providing us a more accurate read on the potential unforseeable expenses.
After doing some research, it looks as if we might have an outside chance for qualifying for tax incentives should we have to initiate a Capital Campaign (i.e., tax benefit for contributors). As many of you are aware, our house falls under the North College Street Historic District, thus limiting many exterior improvements on the house and decreasing the value because of the limitations.
However, there are potentially some benefits. I had a discussion today with one of the leads on the North College Street Historic Preservation Committee to begin lobbying them to write us a letter of recommendation to the SHPO (State Historic Preservation Org) as well as the Dept of Interior to preserve the house should the situation turn south in terms of expense vs house value. This could be good news for us.
Anyway, stay tuned…..there will be more to come within the next month after the assessment is complete.
Fraternally,
Justin