University of IowaTuesday, November 10
University of Iowa drops its standalone cancer center and plans a $13 million research buildout instead
The Good Day Iowa City team
If you follow UI Health Care, the plan for a standalone cancer center is off. Two years after the Board of Regents gave the go-ahead, UI officials say the building isn't moving forward: “Because of projected budget constraints, the standalone building is not advancing at this time.”
Instead, the university is asking the Regents for permission to spend $13 million building out unfinished space on the sixth floor of the College of Pharmacy Building, which opened in 2020. About $9 million would come from interest on an endowment tied to the university's 2020 utility-system public-private partnership, and $4 million from Carver College of Medicine reserves. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2027 and finish in summer 2028.
- Space: flexible labs, shared support spaces, equipment and collaboration areas
- Operating costs: $400,000 a year from UI general funds
- Deferred maintenance: $172,000 a year
The cancer research space is expected to open after a 2027 start
- 2020The College of Pharmacy Building opens.
- 2024The Board of Regents gives the go-ahead for a new cancer research facility.
- Spring '27Construction on the sixth-floor buildout is anticipated to begin.
- Summer '28Construction is anticipated to wrap up.
Sources: The Gazette, KCRG, KCCI
Sources: KCCI, KCRG, The Gazette