Hancher, music, art building models to be unveiled Nov. 9

Congressional wrangling over the budget of the Federal Emergency Management Agency so far has not impacted University of Iowa flood recovery projects, officials told the state Board of Regents in Ames Tuesday.

"Nothing that we're doing is being slowed down by this," Doug True, UI senior vice president for finance, said. "We are in good faith, assuming the U.S. government will meet its obligation to us, proceeding."

UI officials are still waiting on FEMA obligation of about $111 million in funding toward three major replacement projects after the 2008 flood: Hancher Auditorium, the School of Music and the Studio Arts facility, True said. But they expect FEMA obligation of that money on or about Jan. 1, he said. While $111 million remains to be obligated by FEMA to those three projects, about $266 million already has been obligated by FEMA to those facility replacements, officials said.

There is the potential that funding for some UI flood recovery projects will be impacted by the FEMA budget discussions, though that all depends on how soon Congress approves more funds for FEMA to help with national disasters around the country, Iowa Homeland Security Director Gen. Dereck Hill said.

"Right now there is not an immediate impact," Hill said.

A Nov. 9 event will be held on the UI campus to unveil architectural models, visuals and other information about the three major replacement projects, likely the first time the public will get a look at those proposed buildings, True said.