Arizona State U. May Replace Run-Down Frat Houses With Dorms

Arizona State University is considering a plan to tear down a cluster of dilapidated fraternity houses and replace them with dormitory-like residences, the East Valley Tribune reported today.

Eight fraternities own valuable land along Alpha Drive, near Sun Devil Stadium. A major redevelopment proposal reportedly calls for using the land to build Greek housing, a hotel, a convention center, retail stores, restaurants, and regular student housing. The fraternities are involved in the proposal, but some students who live in the houses said the plan would hurt the Greek system and enable the university to exert more control over students’ lives.

A university spokeswoman, Leah Hardesty, told the Tribune that a residence-hall community would provide “a better environment in terms of being healthy and being safe and secure.” —Libby Sander