Regents Approve Food Court Plans For Memorial Union by Anne Dolan The State Board of Regents recently approved design and preliminary financing plans for a new food court area and renovation of the kitchens on the ground floor of the Memorial Union. The board is expected to give final approval to the plans at its October meeting. The cost of the 25,000-square-foot kitchen remodeling and food court construction is $5.8 million. The regents approved a plan to borrow $7.3 million, which also includes refinancing $660,240 of existing outstanding debt on the Memorial Union parking ramp and a required reserve fund of $728,500 (10 percent of the total loan amount). Iowa State officials are completing negotiations with six companies -- five national brands and an Ames espresso cafe owner -- for space in the food court. Together, the six would provide grilled chicken, Chinese entrees, submarine sandwiches, tacos, yogurt and a coffee cafe. Most will operate under franchise agreements, in which the food chain hires its own employees. The Memorial Union will license and operate the grilled chicken line. In addition, the Memorial Union will provide breakfast items; burgers; soup, salad and pizza; beverages; and a "blue plate special" for those who prefer a large meal at mid-day. A burger franchise was not selected for the food court largely because all such proposals focused on a self- contained restaurant with seating. Such an option reduces the total space available for the food court concept. The Cornyn Fasano Group, a food consultant, assisted the university in developing a food service plan that responds to customer preferences but doesn't duplicate what exists in great supply in Campustown. Plans for the ground floor of the Memorial Union also include renovation of about 12,000 square feet for student organization office space, new restrooms and an elevator. The physical changes will alter traffic circulation patterns on the ground floor. The kitchen and food court work is scheduled to begin late this fall, with much of it completed in January 1996. The student office space work would begin during spring semester, after student organizations have been temporarily relocated. _____ contact: Anne Dolan, Internal Communications, (515) 294-7065 updated: 9-29-95