Knutson to close Iowa City office by year’s end

IOWA CITY — Minneapolis-based Knutson Construction will close its office in Iowa City by the end of this year.

“Iowa has long been an important market to us and the closing of our office does not change that fact,” said John C. Curry, CEO of Knutson Construction, told The Gazette.

“While we will no longer have a physical building in Iowa City, we will continue to work on projects and with clients throughout Iowa, through our offices in Minneapolis, Mankato and Rochester, Minn. ”

As required by law, Knutson filed a WARN notice with the state this month saying it would lay off its 40 Iowa City employees by Oct. 3.

Closing the bricks-and-mortar office at 2351 Scott Blvd. SE, Curry said, was “a difficult decision as we understand the impact it has on our 40 employees based at this location, but it was the right decision for the business as we shift our company’s strategic approach to allow for new opportunities to grow and expand.

“Knutson has taken pride in serving the Iowa market and … having completed numerous facilities for trusted partners in the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids communities,” Curry added. “The closing of our office does not change that fact. While we will no longer have a physical building in Iowa City, we will continue to work on projects and with clients throughout the state.”

The company’s top priority in the next several months, he said, is to ensure a smooth transition for its employees, clients and partners.

History

The company was founded in 1911 in Minnesota by Thor Knutson, a Norwegian immigrant, who worked as a dollar-a-day carpenter. He aimed to earn enough money to pay off his father’s farm debt.

Originally known as Standard Construction, Knutson’s son Don changed the name to Knutson Construction in 1966. The Iowa City office opened in 1982, according to the company’s website.

John Curry and Jim Michael bought the company in 1985, with Curry becoming president and CEO and Michael the chairman of Michael/Curry Companies. John Curry’s son Steve Curry became president and CEO in 1992. Steve’s son John C. Curry became president in 2021 and CEO in 2022.

Corridor projects

The company’s projects in Eastern Iowa have included repairs to Old Capitol dome after a 2001 fire, the Iowa City water plant, the Iowa City Public Library expansion and remodel, University of Iowa Football Performance Center Locker Room renovation.

Also, Northwest Middle School in Iowa City, Clear Creek Amana Elementary School, East College Street student housing in Iowa City, Kirkwood Community College Animal Health Building, Prairie Early Childhood addition in Cedar Rapids, Clean Sweep Car Wash in Coralville and the City High School Gym and Weight Room renovation in Iowa City.

Knutson and Cupples Construction, of Illinois, won the contract to install 900-some windows at the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City. The windows developed faults and had to be replaced. The UI in June 2022 sued the contractors, claiming faulty work and products with “systemic defects.” The lawsuit is in arbitration and had nothing to do with the closing of the Iowa City office, the company said.