Since Alpha Psi’s founding at UMD in 1929, OX has owned an amazing chapter house at 7401 Princeton Ave in the heart of College Park, MD. For over ninety years, OX brothers have enjoyed living in one of the nicest fraternity houses in the UMD Greek system. The OX Alumni have worked very hard to provide a modern venue for OX undergrads to meet, live together, and enjoy their time in the fraternity and at UMD.
In 2005, the House infrastructure was in dire need updating. A House Renovation Plan was initiated to address critical House needs to include: Safety Upgrades (sprinkler system, fire escape issues); House living conditions had deteriorated significantly (cracked basement foundation, bathroom leakage); College Park market conditions required more modern living arrangements in the House (more singles/suites). Below is the timeline of the project:
- 2006-2007: Construction plan drafted, permitting, construction solicitation, proposal review, contract award.
- May 2007: Brothers move out, OX artifacts removed & stored; Alumni Corporation rents Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity house located at 4607 Knox Road for 1 year.
- June 2007: Renovation Construction Begins
- July 2008: Renovation Construction Completed
- August 2008: Brothers Move Back into the House
- Increased the living capacity from 27 to 40
- Add 15 foot 3-story addition along the back to increase building square footage by 37%
- Elevated the kitchen to the main floor and established a dedicated dining room
- Estimated Construction Costs/$2.1 million; Obtained two mortgages to finance the project.