utc frat row begins to take shape in πκα alum's hands

Did you ever wonder how a frat row comes to be? Is it an agglomerative process of one house and then another slowly setting up shop in the same general vicinity to gain the social benefits of proximity? Or is it more in the nature of a planned community, with an architect promulgating a master plan for greek life?

In the case of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, more the latter. A new property development spanning a few city blocks near campus is going into construction, with greek tenants already on board to occupy houses. The mastermind behind the frat row project is Roy Williams, a 1973 graduate and Pi Kappa Alpha brother, who has brought together architects, city planners, community leaders, local merchants, university staff and greek representatives "to create a project that will satisfy the concerns of both the city and the Greek organizations that call UTC home." Even independents seem enthused by the prospect of a frat row to call their own: The University Echo quotes on unaffliated sophomore as saying, "I am actually excited to see the Greeks get their own houses in the same area. You see things like this on movies all the time, but I never thought it would happen at our school."

Mr Williams' own Pi Kappa Alpha has already committed to purchasing a property in the development, and sororities Kappa Delta and Alpha Delta Pi have also put earnest payments for their own lots. Along with a fourth (unspecified) group, four of the five spots available in the first phase of development have been spoken for. But if the development plan is successful, more expansion may follow.

University Echo