Hunter
04/13/23
The University of Iowa is asking the state Board of Regents to consider approval on nine different construction and development projects when they meet next week.
The Gazette reports the projects include an expanded neonatal intensive care unit at the Stead Family Children’s Hospital — costing a total of up to $193 million.
Plans call for the hospital to build out its seventh floor, which was left vacant when the facility opened in 2017, to expand the unit. That would add 28 new patient rooms with additional support spaces. An extra floor would be added to the walk bridge between the Children’s Hospital and the labor and delivery space on the seventh floor of the main hospital.
Another project the UI is proposing is a new $75 million, five-level West Campus Parking Ramp just north of Kinnick Stadium with nearly 1000 vehicle spaces, electric vehicle charging stations and covered bike parking. The Regents will be asked to consider letting The UI sell, award and authorize $57.7 million in short-term debt to help cover a portion of the cost of the ramp.
The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics plan a two-story expansion on the south side of its emergency room, along with renovations to its north side. The project would relocate the 5-year-old Crisis Stabilization Unit and add a new adolescent crisis stabilization unit. The Gazette reports the $37 million price tag includes a new triage room, observation rooms, nursing station, offices, an MRI suite and other support spaces. Renovation of the current emergency room would convert and upgrade the pediatric rooms and suites.
The U of I is also asking for $1 million to tear down the south quadrangle housing the ROTC program and the UI Pride Alliance Center. The Pride Alliance Center is moving at the end of the semester, and the university says the cost of razing the two buildings is far less than the nearly $3.9 million in deferred maintenance costs.
The university is planning to use a range of sources to fund all the proposed projects.