Iowa Memorial Union dining area to close for renovations

Union Station to reopen as standalone restaurant, other dining options to be added

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A popular dining area inside the Iowa Memorial Union at the University of Iowa will close next week as part of a major change to dining options at the facility. The Union Station is scheduled to close on March 13th and will eventually reopen as a standalone restaurant, while Godfather's Pizza will move to a new location and other dining options will be added to the current River Room.

Why it matters

The renovations are part of the university's efforts to update and improve the dining experience for students, faculty, and visitors at the Iowa Memorial Union, a central hub of campus life.

The details

The Union Station, which currently houses several different dining vendors, will close on March 13th. Godfather's Pizza will move to an area of the IMU adjacent to Madison Street, and other new dining options will be added to the current River Room. University catering will temporarily relocate to a former restaurant space in the Sycamore Mall during the renovations. The university says all the new food options should be up-and-running by spring or early summer of 2027.

  • The Union Station is scheduled to close on March 13, 2026.
  • The new dining options are expected to be completed by spring or early summer of 2027.

The players

University of Iowa

The public research university located in Iowa City, Iowa.

Iowa Memorial Union

A central hub of campus life at the University of Iowa, housing various dining, retail, and event spaces.

Godfather's Pizza

A pizza restaurant chain that will be relocating to a new space within the Iowa Memorial Union.

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What’s next

The university says the new food options should all be up-and-running by spring or early summer of 2027.

The takeaway

The renovations to the Iowa Memorial Union's dining area are part of the university's ongoing efforts to enhance the campus experience for students, faculty, and visitors by updating and improving the available food options.