Daily Staff Writer

The state Board of Regents recently approved preliminary financing plans and design for a new food court in the Memorial Union.

The food court was proposed in response to a survey that helped determine what kinds of food students want and ways to better utilize the Union, said Warren Madden, Iowa State’s vice president for business and finance.

“The eating environment has changed over the years and the data from the survey showed interest and demand for new facilities,” Madden said.

ISU officials are completing plans with five companies, four national franchises and an Ames espresso cafe owner, for space in the food court.

The companies are Taco Johns, Subway, Panda Express, Bergies, Freshens. The Union will license and operate the grilled chicken line, Madden said.

The MU will also provide breakfast foods, soup, burgers, salad, pizza and a “blue plate special” meal for people who prefer a large meal for lunch.

Madden said the cost of the 25,000-square-foot kitchen remodeling and food court construction is $5.8 million. But the Regents approved a plan to borrow $7.3 million, which includes refinancing about $650,000 of an existing debt on the Union parking ramp and a required reserve fund of $730,000.

Plans for the Union also include renovation of about 12,000 square feet for student organization office space, new restrooms, an elevator and a new traffic circulation pattern. All of the plans are part of the long-term Union renovation plan, Madden said.

The Regents’ final approval of the plan is expected at the October or November meeting.

Madden said the university is hoping the plan will move forward, with the fate of the Browsing Library and Chapel as the only remaining controversy.

Dan Mangan, GSB president, told Madden that GSB hopes to make a decision about the library and Chapel before the end of the semester