Editor's note: At its Feb. 27 meeting, the Iowa Board of Regents voted to table the Iowa Memorial Union remodeling project until a later date. The board approved the child care center, the Arena Parking Ramp, and the Mayflower Residence Hall renovation.

The University of Iowa is seeking permission from the Iowa Board of Regents at its February meeting to proceed with four facilities projects—three of which have received preliminary approval and one new proposal.

UI Health Care child care center

UI Health Care is seeking permission to proceed with planning a new child care center to replace the one currently located in the Westlawn building. The child care center, which is operated by the third-party Bright Horizons and has space for about 100 children, primarily serves the needs of UI Health Care faculty and staff. 

The outdated Westlawn, located along Newton Road, is slated for removal to make way for a new cancer-focused research building. 

The child care center would be built on a portion of Parking Lot 49, located off Melrose Avenue near UI Health Care’s university campus.

“Having child care services close to UI Health Care Medical Center is an important recruitment and retention tool, enhancing the well-being of faculty and staff with young families,” says Rod Lehnertz, senior vice president for finance and operations.

If approved, construction would begin in 2026 and is projected to be complete in 2027. Project budget and schematic design will be submitted for approval at a later Iowa Board of Regents meeting.

Arena Parking Ramp

The university is seeking budget and design approval for the new Arena Parking Ramp, which will be built on a portion of a parking lot adjacent to the Dental Science Building. The $96 million, five-level ramp will help address parking needs created by the new inpatient tower and the reduction in surface parking on the west side of campus from other related projects.

The Board of Regents granted the university permission to proceed with planning in February 2024. 

The ramp will contain about 1,200 spaces serving primarily UI and UI Health Care staff. It will consist of one-way parking configuration with angled parking spaces on the northwest portion of Dental Parking Lot 33. The project also includes:

• Reconstruction of the remainder of Lot 33 as well as parking lots 40 and 44
• Relocation of the College of Dentistry loop drive and canopy serving the dental clinics
• Newton Road improvements including a turn lane at Valley Avenue
• A pedestrian crossing at Hawkins Drive and Hawkeye Ramp Drive

“With the additional growth in parking from the planned inpatient tower, a reduction in surface parking from other projects such as the water tower relocation and the new Health Sciences Academic Building, and with immediate proximity to Carver-Hawkeye Arena, there is an important need to add efficient parking in this part of our campus,” says Lehnertz. “There is also a critical need to provide additional parking close to where UI Health Care staff care for Iowans visiting our hospital.”

Construction on the project would begin as soon as the new Hawkeye Parking Ramp, located north of Kinnick Stadium, opens later this spring.

Iowa Memorial Union renovation

The university is seeking budget and design approval for renovations to the Iowa Memorial Union focused on student success and activities, student support and resources, and revitalizing the building as the primary student social center on campus.

Key to the $81.4 million project will be the relocation and integration of student health, wellness, and counseling into one location to better serve students.

In addition, the south entrance will be renovated to improve the area between the IMU and Hubbard Park by removing vehicle access to create a pedestrian plaza and providing a direct connection to the river corridor and river terrace on the west side of the building.

The Iowa House Hotel, located inside the IMU, permanently closed in early February to create additional space for the student health and wellness services. When complete, University Counseling Service and Student Health, which are in the Westlawn building, will relocate to the IMU.

“Bringing together clinical health services, mental health counseling, and student care resources such as the food pantry and case management for students facing emergencies allows students to address multiple facets of their physical and mental health all at one central location,” says Sarah Hansen, vice president for student life. “Making these services and resources more accessible ensures students have the support they need to excel.”

Funding for the project will come from a new student fee of $100 to $120 per semester. The IMU updates have long been requested by the student body and the fee was proposed and approved by Undergraduate Student Government and Graduate and Professional Student Government, Hansen says. An additional $6.4 million will be provided from Student Health funds.

If approved, construction would begin in spring 2025 and be complete in 2027. The project will be completed in phases, allowing the building to remain open and functioning while renovations are underway. The board granted the university permission to proceed with planning in September 2023.

Mayflower Residence Hall first-floor renovation

The university is seeking approval of a $2.4 million renovation of the first level of Mayflower Residence Hall to create a more welcoming, student-centered space.

Included in the project would be:

• Transforming the multipurpose room into an open study lounge with four adjacent two-to-four-person study rooms
• Relocating and expanding the fitness center to the front of the building for better visibility and views
• Relocating the vending area to a more centralized and accessible location
• Updated flooring, wall treatments, and ceiling replacements

The first floor was renovated in 2009 after the building was damaged in the flood of 2008. No renovations or upgrades have occurred since that time.

If approved, the project would begin later this spring and be complete by fall.