The estimated $100 million Greek Court project is right on schedule, according to John Mountz, director of Greek Life.

While the overall project is intended to be completed by 2019, four alumni organizations have secured lots for Phase 1, which could be ready as early as August 2009.

Sigma Nu, Kappa Sigma, Sigma Phi Epsilon and Pi Kappa Alpha each submitted $25,000 and are anxiously awaiting the final ground lease, Mountz said.

“Some of our buildings are over 45 years old,” he said. “Despite investing money in renovations, they are still not adequate for organizations to operate well. Several groups were really interested in Phase 1, but the chapters with the older alumni were ready right now and had the financial wear.”

The idea originated from fraternity and sorority alumni and turned into five years of extensive studying and researching, including a visit to the University of South Carolina where a similar village exists.

In South Carolina, Mountz said, some chapter houses had standard double rooms and two big bathrooms; another house had double rooms which shared a bathroom; and other layouts existed in other houses.

“The neat thing about Greek Village is each organization gets to lay out bedroom space and decide what they want in their house,” he said. “Each house is going to have its own individual flair and character.”

Mountz said people are ready for a change.

“It’s a great opportunity to remake that part of campus,” he said.

Greg Hunt, a Kappa Sigma alumnus, said the alumni are eager to give back to their chapters and this gives them a chance to do so.

“It’s going to do a lot for the Greek community,” Hunt said. “We want to create a village atmosphere that can tie into the existing structure. When people come in on Western Boulevard through downtown, we want to show them something that will make them proud.”

Although only four organizations are involved with Phase 1, Hunt said they want everyone to be included in the final result. Plans are being formulated to build townhouses, which would give newer chapters with smaller financial budgets an opportunity to be a part of the construction project.

In addition to the townhouses, a community center and amphitheater will ideally be built to create a neighborhood feel, according to Hunt.

Hunt said the community center will not only help unite current organizations, but also give newer chapters a place to meet.

“We’ve never had a center where the groups could get together,” he said. “The whole village concept will be more appealing and make people feel more at home.”

Jonathan Macrae, president of Sigma Phi Epsilon, said the new Greek Village will help make the Greek community closer.

“It’s a good opportunity to get out of the older style houses and it will help Greek life as a whole,” Macrae. a senior in parks recreation and tourism management said. “It will also be a big bonus when it’s time for rush and recruitment.”

Hunt said the alumni are very grateful for the University’s hard work and dedication.

“We appreciate John and Shelly getting involved and putting so much work into this and the job Dr. [Tim] Luckadoo, [associate vice chancellor for student affairs], has done to make our idea a reality,” Hunt said. “The key person has been Derek Close who is a key player on the Board of Trustees. He took a chance with us.”