A former University of Vermont fraternity says its vacant house should retain its nonprofit, tax-exempt status because it wants to reopen the place to students. But the fraternity also has the 1892 mansion on the market.
The brick-sided home on the northwest corner of Maple and Summit streets was closed by UVM in December 2003 after the fraternity it housed, Delta Psi, was accused of being involved in a hazing incident.
More recently, the fraternity has received offers from several prospective buyers — among them the university, which wants to house its alumni relations and development unit in the building.
The property also is the subject of litigation currently before the Vermont Supreme Court, as the fraternity and city of Burlington argue over whether the building lost its tax-exempt status after students moved out.