Steel House Reunion… a success!!!

From Friday night, April 23rd through Sunday morning, April 25th, alumni from Steel House met at our temporary facility at 620 Idaho Avenue. We had a great time looking through scrapbooks, visiting, eating, saying goodbye to the old building on Blake Street, and then visiting our new proposed site next to FarmHouse.

There was a lot on our agenda for the reunion.  It started off with Bruce Pitman speaking to us, followed by a presentation from architect Dave Eckes from Sparks, Nevada, and ending with a review of available grants by Fran McCully.  Dave is a University of Idaho graduate and was very touched by the article written by Steve Hanna on the main University of Idaho web site last fall. He offered to present a plan of what the future building of Steel House could look like. Dave and business partner, Dean Avram, presented a drawing and plans for a facility that is reminiscent of our original building.  What fun it was to watch as they unveiled the plan! You could see the excitement on the faces of both alumni and residents.  Much discussion followed the presentation about possible changes, including a sun deck to aid in getting that perfect tan!  What would Steel House be without our deck that we all became so accustomed to?

Preceding Dave’s presentation, we heard from Dean of Students, Dr. Bruce Pitman. Those in the crowded living room were eagerly trying to find a place to sit as Dr. Pitman started the festivities. He spoke to attendees about the possibilities for Steel House.  His main emphasis to us was the need to keep Steel House running; The University of Idaho needs what Steel House has to offer. Steel House provides that middle ground between a sorority and a dorm. Dr. Pitman pledged to continue assisting in any way that he’s able.

Fran McCully, an experienced grant writer spoke to us about what’s available for groups such as Steel House.  Because there is currently a void of these types of facilities across the US, many governmental agencies and private foundations are providing funding for 501(c)3 organizations that specifically address low-income housing needs. When she finished her presentation, the tone of the room was buzzing with excitement that this project could really happen!  Smiles were on all faces as the thought began to sink in that we could have a new building sooner than later.
Following a day of hearing proposals, we finished the evening with a fine meal prepared by the residents of Steel House.  It was a long but productive day. All left tired but encouraged at the future of Steel House.

On Sunday morning, we began with a brunch, again prepared by the residents of Steel House. We then held our annual board meeting of members and welcomed two new members! Stacey and Rachel Stemach, from Bend, Oregon, decided to spend their anniversary with us. Rachel lived in Steel House in the 90’s and was a graduate of the College of Art and Architecture.  This is where she met future husband, Stacey.
To make a long story short, after speaking with Stacey and Rachel, mulling over the previous days proposals, and receiving a large donation to help with writing the grants, the board decided to move forward with the grant application process.  Stacey and Rachel will also propose a possible building for Steel House! They, along with our grant writer, will put together the first grant application.

The meeting ended shortly after noon.  Alumni and spouses gradually filed out while others milled around for another hour.  There was so much to talk about as we continued to discuss what our new building could look like. By 1:00 PM, everyone had gone their separate ways but this time, with a little more “kick” in their step! The residents of Steel House could potentially move directly from our rented facility on 620 Idaho Avenue to our new building, back on Blake Avenue next to FarmHouse. Time to start thinking about what kind of lawn furniture we could put on the sun deck…

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