GSB Senate discusses funding Campustown, Underground projects

Rebecca Carton

The Government of the Student Body’s weekly Senate meeting will likely be full of discussion over large bills involving the Memorial Union Underground and the proposed Campustown Court project.

GSB will discuss the allocation of $17,560 from the capital projects fund to the MU Underground to purchase new technology including flat-panel LCD TVs, VCRs, DVD players and other monitors.

Brian Phillips, GSB president and senior in political science, said the Underground wanted to create a sports-lounge atmosphere. In addition, by upgrading its current technology, the Underground could integrate many different systems, such as PA systems and jukeboxes.

“The cost went up, but it’s also going to allow them to have their announcements,” Phillips said. “It’s a more complex thing [than just TVs].”

Another bill set to be discussed also involves the MU Underground. The bill would allocate $7,000 for the purchase of a new bowling-ball-return system. The current system has problems, including scratching and damaging the balls while returning them to the players.

GSB is also going to review the Campustown Court project. The project started two years ago when the City of Ames allotted $25,000 to fund a renovation of Campustown Court, an area at the corner of Welch Avenue and Chamberlain Street.

The bill to be resolved on the GSB Senate floor will set aside a large amount of money from the capital projects fund to help fund the remaining costs not covered by the city of Ames. GSB Senator Lauren Suerth, junior in community and regional planning, said the bill would allocate $20,000 to the City of Ames.

Philips said the project could cost more than $20,000 because of criticisms to the current design plan which may need to be addressed. The primary concern about the proposal is a lack of seating.