University of Iowa has no say over Kinnick-like house, either

IOWA CITY — The University of Iowa said Wednesday it has no say in whether a Hawkeye fan may build a house designed to mimic the university's Kinnick Stadium.

Decorah resident Frederic Reed Carlson wants to build the 7,400 square-foot house at 101 Lusk Ave. in the Manville Heights neighborhood of Iowa City. Although Carlson said it's meant to be a second home, potential neighbors expressed concern at Tuesday's Iowa City Council meeting over the house's intended use — which they suggested could be for large gatherings.

Renderings filed with the city show the proposed house is designed to have a commercial kitchen, men's and women's bathrooms, a theater and what looks to be a basketball court. Part of it also shows more traditional living spaces with bedrooms and bathrooms.

Despite the neighbors' concerns, Iowa City officials said the City Council does not have authority to prevent the house from being built since it meets building codes and includes amenities that qualify it as a single-family home.

UI spokeswoman Anne Bassett said in a statement Wednesday that Kinnick Stadium was designed in 1927, so the copyright held by the architect has expired. She said because this project is a private home rather than a commercial venture, the UI has no authority over its design or construction.

'A private citizen's home on their private property does not raise an issue of endorsement and the university does not have any copyright left to prevent such a use,' Bassett said in the statement.

The university did, however, enter into an agreement with McGrath Hawkeye Harley-Davidson in Coralville, which was designed to mimic Kinnick as well.

Bassett said the use of Iowa's designs, colors or logos by commercial properties might be seen as an endorsement of the business by the university. She said at that point, the UI 'will intervene to manage that concern.'

Griffin McGrath, the general manager of the dealership, said in an interview that the university was excited about the business's facade and was accommodating during the process. He said from the time the dealership had the idea to its construction, the process took about two years.

McGrath said he believes the university was welcoming to the idea in part because the dealership took extra steps to represent Kinnick in an accurate way — with the same kind of brick facade, wood and metal used in the real Kinnick. He said the advantage to this design is that more fans to stop in, especially during athletic events, to look.

'It's been cool,' McGrath said. 'It just makes for a really fun conversation to have with somebody right when they walk in the door.'

Although the dealership has had positive reaction from the public, the proposed Kinnick house has drawn opposition.

Carlson proposed a similar design for Highland Drive in University Heights but it was denied by the City Council over a sewer easement.

Carlson told The Gazette in an earlier interview that despite concerns the house will be used as a party space, he plans to use it for occasional family gatherings and it will remain vacant for much of the year.