WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that the University of Iowa has been awarded $6,488,130 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).   The funding will go toward making improvements to the Iowa Memorial Union, which sustained heavy damage from the storms of 2008, by making the bottom floor accessible for students again. In addition to returning the bookstore to the lower level of the union, the project will return the food court and student lounge areas and add a bowling alley.  The project will also create a permanent flood wall and terrace around the building.

“Iowa’s efforts to rebuild after the historic storms of 2008 has been a long process and has taken on many forms,” said Harkin.  “With this funding, the University of Iowa will restore the full use of the Student Union, which is a major step since the University was so badly damaged in the 2008 floods.   Far more needs to be done as part of the rebuilding process, but this is a major leap in that process.  I congratulate the school on this award.”