UI: Spend $11.7 million on North Liberty land for hospital plans

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics officials said there are no details yet on how they would use vacant land they plan to buy in North Liberty, but say the site fits long-term plans to move clinic functions away from the main hospital.

UI Hospitals and Clinics officials will seek state Board of Regents approval Thursday to buy undeveloped land at the southwest corner of Highway 965 and Forevergreen Road. The hospital would pay about $11.7 million for the 40.17 acres, now owned by MGCSMS, LLC.

Officials, in the regents meeting information, said the site would be used for future expansion and relocation of hospital clinic functions. They also note the prime location of the site, at a busy intersection on the border of growing communities North Liberty and Coralville.

There is no timeline or specific plans for the site, UI Spokesman Tom Moore said. Jean Robillard, UI vice president for medical affairs, declined to comment on the issue until after the regents meeting.

"There's been no final determination about what would go there or if or when. Those details just have not been determined," Moore said. "It's all part of the overall strategic plan, yes."

That strategic plan involves moving many clinic offices and functions away from the crowded and land-locked main hospital, officials have said.

As part of that plan, site preparation is underway for a new UI ambulatory and outpatient care clinic at the Iowa River Landing development, just south of Interstate 80 in Coralville.

Hospital officials want to move clinic functions to other locations partly for outpatient access and ease, and also to make room for hospital expansion at the main campus. The hospital eventually will go to all single-patient rooms, which requires more space, and officials plan to build a new Children's Hospital tower.

North Liberty Mayor Tom Salm said Thursday he was unaware of the UI Hospitals and Clinics plan to buy or build on the Highway 965 site, and he declined to comment.

North Liberty City Administrator Ryan Heiar was not available Thursday.

The proposed purchase price of nearly $11.7 million is based on four appraisals, UI officials said. The purchase would be paid for using UI Hospitals and Clinics earnings set aside for capital improvements.