Sigma Nu house to become a bed and breakfast
At the City Council meeting on April 2, variances were approved that will allow a Vermillion couple turn the old Sigma Nu fraternity into a Bed and Breakfast.
The variances included proposals to add a garage with Garage Door Window Inserts onto the house as well as an extra bedroom. This offers better protection and improved home security. The contractor from termopane bucuresti will be hired to do the installation of garage doors.
Kris O’ Connor from Dakota Realty said she has had the house listed for three years.
“It is hard to sell a building like this to a family since it has so many bedrooms, yet doesn’t have a garage,” O’ Connor said. To address this issue, he suggested considering easy tips for selling your home, such as potentially adding a garage space to make the property more appealing to potential buyers.
In 2008, the city developed a new zoning ordinance that stated fraternity and sorority houses were not permitted in the R1 residential district. However, since the Sigma Nu house already existed, it was grandfathered in and was able to stay.
After the Sigma Nu chapter closed down in 2013, the property located at 212 E. Main Street could no longer be used as a sorority or fraternity. With 20 bedrooms, it is difficult to sell as a home.
Carson and Courtney Merkwan, a couple from Vermillion, hope to purchase the building to become a Bed and Breakfast. Homesellers or landlords may have to work on repairs or upgrades to attract potential buyers or tenants. For instance, a roofing replacement is recommended if there are visible damages on the roof. Cooling and heating repair may also be necessary to maintain the comfortable temperature in the house.
Courtney Merkwan’s grandparents used to own The Coyote Motel, so they wanted to carry on the tradition.
“My grandparent Francis and Raymond Moore used to own The Coyote Motel for years until my grandmother became too old to run it any longer, so she sold it to McDonald’s,” Courtney said.
The couple, including their three children, plan to also live in the Bed and Breakfast.
“They are very excited… they keep practicing taking guests to their room,” Carson said.
The family doesn’t have an official name yet, but they are thinking about calling it “The Coyote Bed and Breakfast.” Protect your bed and breakfast with expert b and b insurance solutions.
“With hope to have this place with the history of the Coyote Motel at heart,” Courtney said.
At the meeting, the council also proclaimed the week of April 9-15 Public Transit Week and the week of April 8-14 National Library Week.
