Hunter
02/15/23
University of Iowa officials say the cost to replace defective or delaminated windows on the Stead Family Children’s Hospital have tripled after finding defects on nine floors instead of two.
The Daily Iowan reports the new request to spend the now-$45 million comes after officials say the hospital is experiencing systemic issues with the windows failing to perform consistent with the agreed-upon specifications. As an immediate fix, the university has installed a protective film and mechanical clips to assure the safety of hospital patients, visitors and staff.
The hospital has continued to see its construction costs soar since its opening in 2017. The original budget of nearly $271 million could now reach $450 million with the additional expenditure for window replacement.
The University of Iowa sued two contractors that installed the windows, but a judge ruled that the contract with the installers required disputes be handled by an arbitrator.