Phi Delta Theta House at Union College Gets Torn Down

August 9, 2024

Updated: August 9, 2024

SCHENECTADY —‌ A significant chapter in the history of Union College has come to an end‍ with ‌the demolition of the 110-year-old Phi Delta Theta House.⁢ The building, which‌ stood in the vicinity‍ of Frank Bailey Field, had to be taken down due ‍to structural issues.

Marc Donovan, the college’s⁢ director of facilities and campus planning, confirmed that the demolition project was almost finished after Thursday’s dismantling of ⁢the building. He added that the debris from the former ⁣fraternity house‍ is expected ‌to be cleared ‍before the⁣ commencement of the fall semester.

“The building is ‍essentially down at this point,” he⁣ said. “The process of removing rubble and debris will continue⁢ for a while.‌ The foundations⁣ will also be removed starting this‍ week and continuing into next week.”

The college revealed that the former fraternity house has been largely unoccupied since 2012, following the collapse⁢ of the site’s chimney ⁤and a malfunction of the⁤ house’s boiler. Donovan mentioned that the building has been used ⁤as a construction trailer hub for ⁤additional projects at the college in recent years.

The Phi ⁤Delta Theta fraternity was‍ founded at‍ the college in 1883‌ and remained active until 2017, when it disbanded due to a decrease in membership.

Donovan explained that the idea of refurbishing and repurposing the former fraternity house was not a financially viable option ‌for the college.

“After much‍ discussion and consideration, it was determined that the extensive amount of work and renovation required ⁢would be prohibitively expensive,” Donovan said. “We did consider this, but compared to other⁣ priorities of the college, it was simply ‌too much. The value was not there.”

The demolition work on the fraternity house, which was constructed in 1914 and ‌had a fourth story added in 1929, began⁢ in late July.

Donovan shared that the college is considering various potential plans for the site, which is located on⁣ prime campus real estate at the 50-yard line of‍ the football field and is accessed from Lenox Road along the eastern edge of the campus.

“Whatever we decide to do will be in the best interest of the community,” he said. “We hope to share some of these plans in due course, but it’s still ⁣early ⁤days in the planning process.”

Wayne Somers, author ⁢of⁣ the ⁣“Encyclopedia of Union College History,” noted that the Phi Delta Theta House was the site of the school’s largest fraternity house‌ fire in ⁤1948. The building was almost completely destroyed but was rebuilt and reopened the following year.

Somers commented that the former‍ fraternity house had outlived its usefulness.

“Many of the fraternity houses have been torn down,” he said.

Donovan, a 2005 ⁢Union graduate, reminisced about the fraternity house when it‌ was a vibrant social hub at the college.

“I’m always saddened to see a ⁢building go,” he said. “I have fond memories of that ⁣building. However, both the college and the ‌fraternity deemed it⁣ too expensive to save, given the other priorities we have at the college.”

Donovan pointed out that the college, ⁤which ⁣was established in‍ 1795, still has buildings standing that were built in the 1800s.

“The demolished‌ building was iconic in many ⁣ways,” ⁢Donovan said. “It was situated opposite the bleachers of the football field. It was a familiar sight to anyone watching a game, be it lacrosse, football or field hockey.”

Somers’ book, published in 2003, ⁢mentions that the Phi Delta Theta fraternity was previously located in the South College before their new $17,000 home was built in 1914. The fraternity leased the Lenox Road parcel from ‍the college for 99 years.

Phillip Wajda, the college’s director of media and public relations, ⁢stated that the school consulted with local code enforcement officials and the Schenectady Historic Commission before demolishing the property. The college also ‌informed Phi Delta ‍Theta alumni⁤ president Phil Boyce ‌about Union’s plans for the building.

“Phil (Boyce) and many others ⁣were understandably upset and disappointed to see their house go because of all the wonderful memories they cherished, but most understood it was ⁤beyond repair at this point,” Wadja said in a statement on Thursday. He added that the school has reached out to‍ former fraternity members for suggestions on how ‍to honor the fraternity on the campus.

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