AMES (AP) — Iowa State officials want permission to spend nearly $731,000 to renovate the deck and grounds at the president’s residence in Ames.
No state money or student fees would be used. But the Board of Regents policy says “the renovation, modification or improvement to the official state-owned residence of an institutional head requires approval of the executive director of the board, should the project budget exceed $100,000.”
Funding would be provided by specific gifts to the Iowa State University Foundation.
Documents released in advance of Monday’s planned board meeting via telephone say the proposed modification is an extension of a $205,000 improvement project that regents approved nearly three years ago.
The ground and first floors of 115-year-old residence, which is known as The Knoll, are primarily used for university-supported events that host thousands of people.
Steven Leath moved into the residence section of the house after taking over as ISU president in 2012.
The project calls for replacing the public entrance stairs and ramp at the front entry. The existing deck would be changed to a four-season porch, and more sidewalks would be replaced.
Iowa State’s request to the regents comes as the University of Iowa is working on a more than $1.4 million renovation of its 107-year-old president’s residence. The University of Northern Iowa is about to begin maintenance work on its 117-year old presidential residence.