City: Sorority house not fit for children

By Whitney Elliott

For the Daily

Ann Arbor Public Schools can no longer use the former Delta Zeta sorority house on Washtenaw Avenue as part of Angell Elementary School after receiving the official "no go" from the Office of Fire Safety for the State of Michigan.

Three University groups are looking to sub-lease the building from Ann Arbor Public Schools.

Two of the possible tenants are religious organizations - a group of graduate students and another group from Ann Arbor area colleges. Also, a group of artists want to use the building for their studio as well as their housing.

George Fornero, deputy superintendent for instructional services for Ann Arbor Public Schools, outlined the school district's history with the building. The building was leased by Ann Arbor Public Schools as a temporary solution to the overcrowding in Angell Elementary School.

The Ann Arbor Public School District began renovating the building before it past fire inspection to accommodate two classes beginning on Aug. 31. The school district installed sprinkler systems, widened halls and block off stairways with walls. But in submitting a formal report of the renovation, the Office of Fire Safety for the State of Michigan decided the building still was not safe.

According to Maura Campbell, spokeswoman for the Office of Fire Safety for the State of Michigan, the building housed a sorority - it was not meant for children. State of Michigan building codes, Campbell said, prohibit the building's use as a school. "We did have a walk through with a fire inspector before we started the renovations," Fornero said. "He said that it was probably do-able, but that was not in writing."

The amendment that limits the Ann Arbor School District's plans for the building was put on the books in 1999. The Building Codes for Michigan Schools states that a wooden building cannot have more that two stories above the basement. The building actually has two stories and an attic.

In an appeal to the Office of Fire Safety for the State of Michigan, the Ann Arbor Public Schools pointed out that the third story on the building is just an attic. But the attic was used by Delta Zeta members as sleeping quarters, so the building cannot be used.

The old Delta Zeta house was chosen because Angell Elementary is essentially land-locked, and the need for additional space is essential, Fornero said. There is no room for additions to the building or portable units, but choosing a new location for an elementary school isn't an option either.

The overflow of students at the school stems from three main sources, said Lee Ann Dickinson-Kelley, administrator for elementary education. A normal year-to-year increase in students, a desire to serve all children from University North Campus family housing and Ann Arbor Public Schools hopes of reduced class size have all been a factor in Angell's increased enrollment.

"The fact that the annex is not usable is a huge disappointment to the whole Angell community," she said.