CEDAR FALLS -- The University of Northern Iowa may seek state Board of Regents approval this spring to begin construction of a multimodal transportation terminal on campus.

"We're going ahead to present schematics to the Board of Regents in February, and we anticipate being able to go to bid this spring," said Patricia Geadelmann, special assistant to UNI President Robert Koob, after U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley announced an additional $1.8 million in federal funding toward that project.

The $1.8 million is included in a federal transportation appropriations bill passed by the House and awaiting Senate approval, Grassley said.

UNI began the year needing $7 million to complete funding for the $18 million facility. It previously received $8 million in federal commitments and another $3 million would come from the university. Then, more than $3 million in federal money was announced by U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin in July.

With the $1.8 million pending, "that leaves about $2.2 million," Geadelmann said. "We had hoped we would get the whole $7 million this year. But I don't see this slowing us down. Senator Grassley, Senator Harkin and Congressman (Jim) Nussle have pledged to see the project through. We're confident we're going to get the rest of the money."

She suggested that substantial construction could begin now and some portion of the project, such as associated transit vehicle purchases, could be delayed until after all the funding is secured.

The project, in discussion and planning for more than five years, would be built north of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, in an area now occupied by metered visitor parking. MET Transit bus service would be provided there, including potentially an intra-campus tram network.

Although a three-level facility has been discussed, Geadelmann has said that would be determined by the final design. She said university officials also would like it to blend with the Gallagher-Bluedorn design and not obstruct views of the Curris Business Building or other major campus structures.

Geadelmann said the university's $3 million toward the project, which represents a 20 percent local match, would come from in-kind contributions such as staffing and the site itself, student activity fees and cash receipts from operations of the facility. UNI will develop a business plan for the operation, she said.

Contact Pat Kinney at (319) 291-1484 or pat.kinney@wcfcourier.com.