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University of Northern Iowa seeks planning approval for 1932 Commons Building renovation after $1M RIF allocation
Summary
UNI requested permission to start project planning for renovation of the 1932 Commons Building to house the Center for Civic Education and materials related to Senator Chuck Grassley's papers, pending anticipated state RIF funding.
The University of Northern Iowa asked the Board of Regents on June 25 for permission to proceed with planning of a renovation of the Commons Building, a 1932, roughly 55,000-square-foot campus structure that has served dining and outreach roles for decades.
UNI presenter Michael Hager told regents the legislature appropriated $1 million in Rebuild Iowa infrastructure funds (RIF) for the project and the university expects the governor to sign the bill. With that authorization, UNI seeks campus approval to select architects and begin planning; a full project description and budget would return to the regents in the fall.
Planned use and background
UNI said the renovated commons would house the Center for Civic Education and Senator Chuck Grassleywho donated his papers to the universitywould have related programming and archival materials located there. Hager said the property has been well maintained and that the board's earlier support for preservation makes renovation feasible.
Committee action
Regents praised the preservation focus and recommended the planning request be forwarded to the full board for approval by general consent. UNI said an architectural selection process would begin if planning permission is granted and project-level work would follow later in the year.
Speakers quoted were present in committee; direct quotes are attributed to the transcript.
