The University of Iowa has received approval to move ahead with five construction projects, including the renovation or replacement of the Memorial Union parking ramp.
UI vice president Rod Lehnertz says the ramp was built in 1964 and the design is outdated. “With a spiral entrance and dead ends on each floor, we often jest that it’s the worst ramp in the world. It probably is not, but it’s certainly important when it’s a ramp that is the first impression for students and their families when they come to visit the University of Iowa and decide if this is the university they should attend,” Lehnertz says. He says the cost range is between 45 and 55 million dollars depending on whether the decision is to replace the ramp or renovate it.
The U-I also received approval to replace the scoreboards at Kinnick Stadium. “Nine years since the original systems were put in place. This would be an in-kind replacement of these systems, including scoring and timing systems at Kinnick Stadium,” he says. “The project would be anticipated to be from April until August or in the summer months prior to the football season.” Lehnertz says He says they are asking for approval of $4.9 million which gives them the potential to look at other systems in the stadium. “When we’re doing this, the vendors that do this work offer options that are associated with the existing and other elements of visual connection to the fans. They will offer those options, but the athletic department expects this project will be delivered at significantly less than that,” Lehnertz says. He says the anticipate the cost will end up around three million dollars.
Iowa State University received approval for the remodeling of the student-run restaurant. ISU vice President Sean Reeder says restaurant is really a lab for 550 graduate and undergrad students in the hospitality management, dietetics, culinary food science, and event management programs. “The project will renovate approximately 9,500 square feet in the Human Nutritional Sciences Building and LeBaron Hall to create a new modern learning lab and classroom for these students,” he says.
The renovation is estimated to coast $12.8 million. “The proposed renovation will expand opportunities for the teaching collaboration, engagement, and visibility of the program. The new facility is designed to evolve alongside the instructional industry and workforce needs,”Reeder says. Construction would start in the spring of 2027. Iowa State University also got approval from the Board of Regents to begin the process of replacing the existing Beef Teaching Farm with a new Beef Innovation Farm to support teaching, research, outreach, and industry engagement.