New option at University of Iowa would separate Hancher, music school

University of Iowa leaders are considering an option that would separate Hancher Auditorium from the School of Music as relocation plans continue for the flood-damaged facilities.

Two favored sites to replace the Hancher Voxman Clapp complex have been on the table since July, one near downtown and the other near old Hancher.

But at a public forum last night, UI officials said a new, third option is under consideration: separating Hancher from Voxman Music Building and Clapp Recital Hall. Under that option, a new Hancher would be built near the old venue, but farther north and out of the flood plain, and the School of Music, with its own performance spaces and classrooms, would be built on the proposed downtown site, south of Burlington and west of Clinton streets.

That idea gained steam after the Federal Emergency Management Agency said it would still pay the 90 percent share to replace Hancher Voxman Clapp as two facilities, Rod Lehnertz, director of campus planning, said. The downtown site would require acquisition of four to six parcels of land, which is a cost consideration if that site is in the mix, officials said. Replacing Hancher Voxman Clapp is estimated at $276 million, and it's unknown how much that fluctuates with the three options.

About 150 people attended last night's forum. More than 20 people spoke, many favoring the downtown option, called the east site. That's a change from the forum in July, when sentiment was behind the west site, near Hancher. Many UI music faculty and students said they prefer downtown because of its proximity to the core of campus.

“For us to do our job of teaching students, we'd be much better off with downtown,” professor Stephen Swanson said.

But North Liberty resident Daryl Granner said some Hancher patrons have concerns about parking, safety and access downtown. He also cited the land acquisition cost.

A few people proposed elevating the existing Hancher Voxman Clapp. But Lehnertz said that would be “architecturally problematic” and FEMA may not allow it.

UI officials want to make a recommendation by the end of the year to the state Board of Regents. The plans also need FEMA approval.