UI moves ahead with $53 million IMU project

University of Iowa officials hope to start construction in January on a project to return the university bookstore, food court and other student activity areas to the lower level of the flood-damaged Iowa Memorial Union.

UI leaders on Thursday will seek state Board of Regents approval for the budget and plans on the $53 million flood mitigation and recovery project for the Iowa Memorial Union, on the east bank of the Iowa River. Upper floors of the building have been reoccupied since the 2008 flood, but the lower level remains vacant. The lower level housed the bookstore, food court and student lounge areas.

The flood recovery project will return those functions to the union's lower level, and add a bowling alley.

Before the flood, about 12,000 people visited the IMU every day, Dean of Students David Grady said. Daily visitors total about half that now, he said.

“We're trying to bring the IMU back,” Grady said. “We want to make it vibrant and relevant to students. That's something that's been missing from the fabric of campus for many students.”

In addition to renovating the lower level, the $53 million project will relocate the mechanical and electrical systems from the basement to the roof and create a permanent flood wall/terrace around the building.

Multi-phase construction should begin in January. Officials hope the bookstore will be done by December 2011, with the rest of the work done by early 2013.

While completing the flood recovery work at the IMU, officials also plan to address $22 million in deferred maintenance needs at the building, which they also will seek regents approval for next week. That project would enhance and renovate the upper floors of the union, including the Iowa House Hotel.

Also at Thursday's meeting, UI officials will ask board approval for a planned Psychology and Learning Center Building. The estimated $26 million project would construct two new lecture halls, classrooms, departmental offices and research space for psychology, one of the largest departments in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The proposed site is the location that now holds Van Allen Lecture Rooms 1 and 2, extending south to Iowa Avenue.