Memorial Union renovations, delayed because of estimate errors, are back on track with a new budget increase.

The Iowa Board of Regents approved a budget increase of approximately $2.9 million to the renovation of the Memorial Union last week during their June meeting.

“We’re really excited that money has been funded back into the project,” said Richard Reynolds, director of the Memorial Union. “The budget increase allows the project to accomplish everything in the original project with a few exceptions. Without the budget increase, the Oak Room and South Ballroom renovations would not be possible.”

New plans are scaling back the footprints of the south edition because it was too difficult and costly, said Robert Holzwarth, facilities planning and management architect. He said items taken out of the plan include the gallery in the Pioneer Room and a second-floor meeting room. These items may be considered for restoration at a later date. A roof terrace over a new addition was also cut out of the plan.

The Herbert Lewis Kruse and Blunck Architecture firm are redesigning the original plan, with estimated renovation costs at $12.4 million, because the sole bidder, Miron Construction, based in Wisconsin, came in over the estimate with a bid of $17.6 million because of fluctuating material prices and errors in the original estimate.

A new spending plan to utilize the $19.9 million granted by the regents has not yet been determined and will not be ready until all of the documents have been completed, Holzwarth said.

Private donations have also supported the renovation.

“Chuck Durham has generously made a significant commitment to support the renovation of Memorial Union, and directed his support for the renovation of the Great Hall,” said Jason Menke, associate director of communications for the ISU Foundation. “The ISU Foundation receives and manages gifts of every size to benefit the university. We are grateful for the generosity of Mr. Durham.”

The new plans and re-bid are estimated to be completed in late fall 2005. Construction is anticipated to begin in the winter of 2005 or early in the spring of 2006.