University of Iowa Health Care seeks approval for $3 million hematology clinic renovation

University of Iowa is seeking Iowa Board of Regents’ approval to renovate a portion of the UIHC hematology and oncology clinic located in Bettendorf. The 71,000-square-foot clinic, located at 1351 Kimberly Rd., needs updated and specialized HVAC, electrical systems and equipment to support the medical imaging and radiation therapy equipment. The project would also update finishes and improve flooring, board documents stated. The university purchased the portion of the building that contains Suite #100 in 2023 for $1.8 million, and leases the other half. The renovations would remove up to $2.3 million in deferred maintenance and is budgeted at $3.3 million, funded by UI Health Care Earnings and Equity. According to board documents, renovations will be completed in compliance with the Joint Commission review, a US-based nonprofit organization that accredits more than 22,000 US health care organizations and programs. The request for renovation approval will go before the Board of Regents at its April 23 meeting.

Iowa Memorial Union faces round two in renovation requests

For a second time, the university is seeking approval to renovate the Iowa Memorial Union, a century-old building that sits adjacent to the east bank of the Iowa River. A key component of the $81.4 million renovation project, which would overhaul 120,000 square feet, is the consolidation of student health, wellness, and counseling services into one central location. The move aims to enhance accessibility and streamline support for students by eventually relocating the University Counseling Service and Student Health from the outdated Westlawn building to the IMU. Additionally, the site design includes a covered seating area along the south side of the building, enhancing the space between the IMU and Hubbard Park. To create a more pedestrian-friendly public plaza, metered parking and vehicle access will be removed. The redesigned area will feature upgraded pavement and landscaping, establishing a direct connection to the river corridor area. “Through this renovation, student health and student counseling would have a separate, dedicated entrance to provide more discretion and privacy for students accessing those services,” board documents stated. “There (sic) has never been the UI’s desire to relocate those functions to the busy and very public Old Capitol Town Center.” The renovation will also address $55 million in deferred maintenance, with Student Life contributing $6 million toward the project. The Board of Regents rejected the university’s initial request for renovation approval in February, citing “unprecedented uncertainty about federal funding.”

Request to demolish Center for Disabilities and Development

In addition to renovation requests, the university will also seek approval to demolish one of its buildings north of UI Health Care’s main hospital. The Center for Disabilities and Development has $20 million in deferred maintenance and currently sits in the path of the planned UI Health Care inpatient tower. Built in 1954, the 100,500-square-foot CDD building has “no significant architectural or historic significance” and has needed “significant renovations and upgrading for some time,” board documents stated. “The noise, vibration and disruption of the important clinical services provided within CDD make it difficult, if not impossible, to continue to occupy the building during construction of the new tower,” the request stated. “The razed building will provide the inpatient tower project with much needed additional site access and construction activity spaces, facilitating the approaching bed tower project.” If approved, the CDD would be relocated to other on or off-campus locations, along with the cytogenetics lab and the sleep disorders clinic, which shares facilities. “Services now provided within the building will be provided more successfully at their new locations,” the documents stated.