Iowa faculty, staff, and students this academic year will see the completion of two new academic and research buildings and construction begin on a new art museum. In addition, renovations will transform parts of other facilities, buildings will be torn down, offices will settle into new locations, and new lighting will enhance safety along a popular walkway.
In the years after the 2008 flood, multiple new buildings opened on campus, and Rod Lehnertz, senior vice president for finance and operations, says the university is now able to evaluate current facilities to see if they may be used in new or better ways.
“As the university continues to advance its emphases on sustainability, campus safety, and accessibility, we are investing more in what we already have,” Lehnertz says.
The following are some of the campus projects that were completed over the summer or are in the works this academic year.
New buildings
Pharmacy Building
Classes are scheduled to be held in the new pharmacy building beginning in the 2020 spring semester. The $96.3 million home of the College of Pharmacy will feature cutting-edge research laboratories, innovative technology, and collaborative learning spaces.
The new building is being constructed across the street from the current facility at the former site of Quadrangle Hall, which was demolished in 2016.
Psychological and Brain Sciences Building
Construction on the new home for the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Gilbert Street and Iowa Avenue is nearing completion, with classes scheduled to be held in the new building in the 2020 spring semester.
The $33.5 million, 66,470-square-foot facility will bring together faculty who are currently spread across campus, feature state-of-the-art classrooms and cutting-edge labs, and provide commons space for students.
Stanley Museum of Art
Construction on the University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art—the final structure to be rebuilt in the aftermath of the 2008 flood—will begin this month with a public opening estimated in 2022.
The $50 million, 60,000-square-foot museum will be located adjacent to the UI’s Main Library and next to Gibson Square Park.
Oakdale Studio Facility
Iowa will seek proposals this fall for design and construction of a one-story building that will house 22 faculty art studios on the Oakdale campus. Construction is estimated to be completed in July 2020, and faculty will move in before the start of the fall 2020 semester.
The buildings currently used for faculty art studios on the Hawkeye and Oakdale campuses will be razed, and the flexible new facility will accommodate the range of disciplines that Iowa faculty practice: painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, intermedia, 3-D design, printmaking, et cetera.
Finkbine Clubhouse
The new Finkbine Clubhouse will open in the spring for the 2020 golf season. The facility will include a golf shop, lounge, dining room, grill-room bar, conference room, outdoor terrace, locker rooms, hospitality area, and golf cart storage room. The old clubhouse will be demolished in late spring or early summer 2020.
Renovations/moving/demolition
Communications Center
Razing of this South Madison Street building will go out for bid by the end of 2019, with demolition expected in spring 2020. The site will be turned into green space. Offices and programs currently housed in the Communications Center have or will be moving: Military and Veteran Student Services to University Capitol Centre; the Division of Interdisciplinary Programs to Phillips Hall; CLAS Strategic Communications to the Jefferson Building; the Concrete Canoe Team to 2124 James Street; the Test Center to the Chemistry Building; and the Office of Sustainability and the Environment to Jessup Hall.
Macbride Hall
The south end of the second floor of Macbride Hall will undergo renovation in fall 2019 to accommodate more space for faculty in the Department of Computer Science and improved space for graduate students in the Department of Mathematics.
North Hall
The fourth floor of North Hall will undergo renovation in fall 2019 to accommodate more space for faculty and graduate students in the Department of Sociology and Criminology.
University Athletic Club
Demolition of the University Athletic Club on Melrose Avenue concluded over the summer.
Kinnick Stadium
The north end zone of Kinnick Stadium was completed in time for the 2019 football season and includes new restrooms, concourse, concessions, videoboard, and premium club level.
Residence Halls
University Housing and Dining makes improvements to student living spaces every year. Two significant projects students may have noticed upon returning this year are:
- Renovations to the lobby in Burge Hall and Burge Market Place.
- New plumbing and vanities in Hillcrest Hall living spaces.
UI Service Center
The creation of the UI Service Center, located in University Capitol Centre, was a joint effort between the University Billing Office and the Registrar Service Center to integrate services and better meet the needs of students. Combined, these offices typically receive visits from more than 14,000 students each year. At the UI Service Center, students can accomplish tasks including:
- Paying U-Bills
- Making registration changes
- Submitting scholarship checks
- Performing student name changes
- Acquiring transcripts and verifications
- Utilizing graduation services
- Working out residency issues and changes
- Obtaining ID cards
- Addressing billing and loan collection
Center for Diversity and Enrichment
The Center for Diversity and Enrichment has moved to University Capitol Centre.
Military and Veteran Student Services
The Military and Veteran Student Services Office has moved to University Capitol Centre.
Campus landscape
Iowa Memorial Union Pedestrian Bridge
People crossing the footbridge by the Iowa Memorial Union this fall after a rain will notice that standing water that used to dot the bridge is no longer there. The bridge was closed for a week over the summer to allow for patching to eliminate the problem. In addition, flags of countries represented by international students attending the UI are displayed on the bridge at the start of each fall and spring semester. This tradition began in fall 2018.
T. Anne Cleary Walkway
Motion sensing posts and flashing lights will be installed on each side of Jefferson Street and Market Street at the top of the hill where the respective streets intersect with the T. Anne Cleary Walkway. While the existing pedestrian-crossing warning signs will be left in place, the new system will add flashing lights. When a pedestrian crosses a motion-sensing beam, yellow lights will activate to warn approaching vehicles that a pedestrian is about to cross or is crossing.