The Iowa State Board of Regents is scheduled to vote on the proposed project planning and architectural selection process for the Union Drive Neighborhood project during today’s meeting in Iowa City.

“What we are asking the board to approve is the initial phase of this project,” said Iowa State President Martin Jischke. “We need to make a more detailed plan for the project, and we also need to select an architect for the job.”

Though Jischke said ISU needs to create a more detailed plan, the current plan includes a variety of possible ideas for renovation.

According to the board’s docket, “the project includes the possibility of a new Community Center, replacing or renovating the existing food service, potential demolition of portions of Friley and Helser Halls, and the construction of suites.”

Regent David Fisher said he does not see any reason why this project will not be approved.

“The planning for the renovation of the Union Drive dorms seem to be a sound proposal,” he said. “I’ll vote for it.”

The Union Drive Neighborhood project is part of ISU’s Department of Residence Master Plan, which also includes the Maple Hall renovation and Hawthorn Court Development projects.

The Master Plan, according to the docket, includes the addition of 2,960 apartment beds and 960 suite-style beds, renovation of about 630,000 square feet of existing traditional dormitory and suite-style space (2,131 beds), and the demolition of about 700,000 square feet of deteriorating dormitory facilities.

Other proposals on the docket include:

• ISU requests approval of revised project budgets for Phases One and Two of the Hawthorn Court Development project.

• ISU requests approval of the program statement and schematic design for the Communications Building—Video Production and Instructional Studios Renovation project, which will renovate studio space in the Communications Building.

The space will be used by the Greenlee School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Extension Communications and the Instructional Technology Center.

• ISU requests approval of a project description and budget for the Institutional Roads Projects—Special Maintenance 1999 project in the amount of $418,350, which will provide paving maintenance work for campus roadways.