Lampoon Renovates Amidst Rumors

The Harvard Lampoon’s operations are often shrouded in mystery, and its latest construction project is no exception.

Since last month, the front of the Lampoon, a semi-secret Sorrento Square social organization which used to occasionally publish a so-called humor magazine, has been surrounded by a covered chain link fence, prompting some students to speculate on the organization’s latest endeavor.

Lowell resident Isaiah K. Mwangi ’09 said earlier this week that he noticed unusually large amounts of steam billowing “at full blast” from the castle’s upper windows one night before spring break.

While most poonsters declined to comment on the nature of the project, editor Emmet F. McDermott ’09 said that the organization was building a moat to extend over the entire area of the present sidewalk on its west face.

He added that the project was for the castle’s defense.

But a little digging reveals that the construction actually consists of two projects: a pedestrian island being built by the Cambridge Department of Public Works, and a Lampoon-contracted renovation, according to the Cambridge Department of Public Works.

Despite the official record—which makes no mention of a moat—McDermott maintains that “the construction is for maintenance, in addition to constructing a moat for security purposes.”

According to Steven Panora of Truant & Associates, the company hired to oversee the Lampoon’s project, “the work is mainly ‘preventative maintenance.’”

Panora added that the Lampoon was using the reconstruction of the curb as an opportunity to water proof the building and bring the building’s front steps up to code, and that he expects to finish by April 27, after which a contractor for Cambridge will rebuild the sidewalk.

While the sidewalk rebuilding occasioned the renovations, Panora cautioned that the construction is “not an everyday repair.”

McDermott said that the construction will not affect the structure of the castle itself.

Students and tutors in the Lowell House dining hall saw both benefits and drawbacks to the construction project.

“It’s a little dangerous,” said resident tutor Uchechukwugaeme O. Nwamara. “The cars are notoriously fast on that road. It’s also unwieldy, since the island hasn’t been built yet.”

But Danny E. Goodman ’07 said he did not mind the fence.

“The construction site is a bit prettier than the building,” he said.

While the actual cost of the project could not be verified, McDermott said that the undertaking would cost nearly a million dollars.