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Regents review multimillion-dollar campus projects, including planning for Carver-Hawkeye Arena
Summary
The Board of Regents’ June meeting advanced multiple University of Iowa capital requests by committee consent and heard detailed planning for a $50–$70 million modernization of Carver-Hawkeye Arena, with fundraising underway and a recommended construction-manager-at-risk delivery method.
The State Board of Regents on Monday reviewed a set of University of Iowa capital projects and recommended approval by general consent for six proposals spanning athletics, academic space and health-care facilities.
University architect Rod Lehnertz asked the Regents for permission to proceed with planning for a comprehensive modernization of Carver-Hawkeye Arena, a 40-year-old facility. Lehnertz said preliminary planning ranges the project at $50 million to $70 million and will evaluate fan amenities, accessibility upgrades and options to add building cooling. He told the board the project’s scope will depend in part on philanthropic fundraising by the Athletic Department and the University.
Beth, an advancement lead for athletics, briefed Regents that the campaign already has more than $40 million in written commitments toward the arena project. Lehnertz recommended the Board approve use of a construction-manager-at-risk contract because the project must be phased to accommodate ongoing athletics seasons and other events at the venue.
Other University of Iowa projects presented included an $8.7 million field‑hockey facility funded by private gifts; a $65 million Tippie College of Business expansion combining renovated and new courtyard space funded largely by private donors and some central contribution to reduce deferred maintenance; a $27 million perioperative recovery expansion at the UI hospitals; and an $8.9 million Child Care Center to replace Westlawn day‑care space and eliminate identified deferred maintenance. Lehnertz also outlined a $40 million replacement of the Van Buren Street parking ramp, citing structural concerns and a plan to fund the project with UI Health Care earnings, equity and parking-system income.
Several presenters emphasized deferred‑maintenance reductions tied to the projects and noted timing depends on remaining leases, fundraising, and design schedules. In each case, the committee recommended approval by general consent.
The Board did not take roll-call votes on the consent items during the presentation; project approvals will be carried forward for formal action on the consent docket as appropriate.
