UI requests hearing with FEMA on art museum

AMES - University of Iowa officials are requesting a hearing with Federal Emergency Management Agency officials regarding the status of possible FEMA funding for the flood-damaged Museum of Art, UI officials told state regents Thursday.

FEMA has ruled the UI museum building was not damaged enough in the 2008 flood to pay for its replacement elsewhere. But because the UI can't insure art in that former museum building on the Iowa River, UI officials are appealing FEMA's decision.

UI officials have requested that FEMA give them time for oral arguments via telephone the week of Dec. 19, to make the case for funding a building replacement. The deadline for a FEMA decision on the UI appeal was in September, and UI officials said they want to bring attention to the appeal and move it forward, and they hope the oral arguments will do that.