Amid controversy surrounding the slated restoration of the Memorial Union, a university official outlined the history of the campus landmark and expressed the need for the renovation Monday.

The renovation, which has drawn somewhat strong student opposition in recent weeks, includes an addition to the Union Theater and the plan for the expansion of the lakefront.

Alan Fish, associate vice chancellor for facilities, said the union’s history spanned over decades, reaching back to 1938, when the theater first opened.

He gave an overview of the university’s plan for the renovation, addressing priorities such as reversing deterioration of the building, as well as honoring the past embedded in the union.

“It is very humbling to think of how we are going to impact what means so much to so many people,” Fish said.

Fish also said there were extensive reasons behind updating a local piece of history.

He said the building is currently 13 stories and very difficult to get around, and also said there are no sprinklers in case of fire.

“[The plans call for] keeping its character because making it last for another 100 years is really our goal,” Fish said.

A key component to maintaining the building’s character while also making it sustainable, Fish said, is to rework the Memorial Union Terrace.

The group has proposed expanding the Terrace to behind the Red Gym and replacing the parking lot with a park dedicated to alumni. The plans also call for a complete renovation of the Union Theater lobby.

While students voiced opposition to the plan as a whole in a recent Associated Students of Madison referendum, much controversy has surrounded the proposal on a greater community scale, specifically focused in on the plans for the theater lobby.

There have been multiple changes to the original plan, both to satisfy the Historical Society and the university residents.

Fish brought up the newly designed lobby, addressing that the space might block the view of the sunset from certain spots, but said there was really no area to watch it on the Terrace unless one moved out closer to the lake.

He said the redesigned theater lobby would serve as an “all-weather space” for students to watch the lake, complete with a rooftop providing a perfect spot to watch the sunset.

Dylan Mathiew, a recent graduate who said he has been keeping up with the frequent meetings to address the project, welcomed the updated renovations.

“It seems like the students have been ignored in the process … so you kind of made my day when you presented that compromise,” he said to Fish during the meeting.

The project will be split into two parts, phase one for the theater, set to be started next summer, and phase two for the remainder. The theater is projected to be completed in two years, while the Terrace and park are set to follow in the next three.

Fish said the approximately $100 million needed for the project would come from donations and gifts rather than tuition.

The meeting served as one of the final times that the public can voice their opinions on the plan.