Lang
9/24/25
Renovation plans presented to University of Iowa Student Government Tuesday night would add a patio and more chain restaurants to the Iowa Memorial Union.
The Daily Iowan reports associate dean and executive director for the IMU, Bill Nelson, led the presentation at Tuesday night’s UISG meeting. The plans include a new outdoor patio to be built on the current parking lot between the IMU and Hubbard Park, which would connect the two student hubs.
The IMU would also add chain restaurants to “Vendor Lane”, which is planned for an area between Hubbard Commons and the Iowa River. Specific restaurant chains were not mentioned. The IMU basement already houses a Godfather’s Pizza.
The aesthetic of the renovations was described as “nature-inspired”.
Half of the renovations would be finished by August of 2026, with the rest being completed about a year later.
The Richey Ballroom, the Main Lounge, and the International Ballroom would all remain open during construction.