Preliminary work toward demolition of the former Kappa Alpha fraternity house located at 294 S. Lumpkin Street in Athens is underway this week, with demolition to begin in earnest next week and the entire project to be completed by the end of August.

After following the standard approval process through the University System of Georgia Board of Regents for demolition of any building on university property, final approval for the demolition was received on July 24.

Constructed in 1938, the house became occupied by Kappa Alpha fraternity in 1953. The last major renovation to the building was made in 1969, and Kappa Alpha vacated it earlier this year.

It is in poor condition, boarded up and unoccupied. The University of Georgia will use the site for further improvements under its Northwest Precinct master plan, which expands academic facilities westward from the historic North Campus.

A new facility for the College of Family and Consumer Sciences is proposed for the Kappa Alpha site and awaits state funding under the University System of Georgia capital construction priorities.

- UGA News Service