University of Iowa proposes third new residence hall on west side, potentially will cater to athletes

IOWA CITY - One week after dedicating its first new residence hall since 1968, and only months after proposing a second new dormitory on the east side of campus, the University of Iowa is asking to build a third new hall, enabling it to keep pace with a growing student body.

'For years we have been ‘sold out' or at capacity and unable to serve many returning students who would choose to live in the residence system,” said UI spokeswoman Jeneane Beck. 'We also have fewer beds on our campus than many of our peers. This will help us address that concern as we experience a growth in students.”

The new $85 million residence hall would be located on the west side of campus near Kinnick Stadium and Carver-Hawkeye Arena and would cater, in part, to first- and second-year athletes and their daily practice and training needs, according to the regent documents.

But, in accordance with NCAA regulations, the residence hall would not be reserved solely for athletes. It also would provide space for the general student population, including those studying medicine and the biosciences, which also are located on the west side of campus.

'NCAA rules require any residence hall to be a minimum of 51 percent non-athlete,” according to Beck. 'Not only in the hall but by each individual floor.”

Precise siting of the residence hall would be determined during the initial planning phase of the project, according to a UI request of the Board of Regents to proceed with planning for the new hall.The board will consider the request at its meeting next week.

The project, based on the initial proposal, would provide an additional 500 to 600 suite-style beds, a dining venue and 'athletic training table.”

It's projected $85 million cost would be covered through dormitory revenue bonds and athletics gifts and earnings, although officials said its costs could exceed other recent residence hall projects due to additions like dining facilities, learning resources, event spaces and site transportation improvements.

'The University of Iowa Athletics Department continually reviews its facilities needs through an ongoing master planning process,” according to the project proposal. 'A high priority in this process is improving the living and learning environments for student-athletes.”

In conjunction with that mission, the university also is asking the Board of Regents to approve planning for a new indoor track and field facility. The project would provide improved, weather-protected space for running-related programs and other sports in the form of an indoor track, spectator area, weight training facilities, locker rooms, and storage.

Moving the indoor track could allow the university to raze the recreation building, which currently houses the institution's track, and make space for a new residence hall in its place, according to regent documents.

The track project cost is estimated at between $15 million and $20 million and also would be funded by athletics gifts and earnings. It would be located on the 'far west” side of campus, although a precise location has yet to be determined.

The proposed construction coincides with the university's plan to add 5,000 more students over the next five years.

A third new residence hall would enable the university to accommodate that growth by complementing 501 beds added to the west side campus this fall via the Mary Louise Petersen Residence Hall and another 1,023 beds planned for the east side of campus in the $95 million Madison Street Residence Hall. That dormatory is slated for completion in 2017.

UI officials want to use an alternative 'design-build” delivery method for both the proposed residence hall and new track facility, according to regent documents. The university has completed two projects using the method, and its new east-side residence hall is proceeding via design-build.

'Design-build would allow for a best-value selection of a contractor/architect team, while maintaining a selection process that includes construction price bidding,” according to the UI's proposal. 'This method would also allow for completion of construction in an accelerated manner, allowing for student occupancy of the residence hall by the earliest possible date.”

Some have criticized the regents' use of design-build, saying it violates the system's bid requirements outlined by state law. But UI officials in the regent documents vow to 'develop procedures for the selected

alternative delivery method that are consistent with Iowa Code.”