Site preparation has officially started on Iowa’s most expensive construction project to date, a $2.2 billion patient care tower at the University of Iowa Healthcare campus in Iowa City. This 842,000-square-foot facility is expected to transform patient care capacity and modernize surgical services across the state. JE Dunn Construction has been selected as the general contractor, while Neumann Monson Architects, with offices in Des Moines and Iowa City, will lead the design. Although specific plans, such as the tower’s total number of floors, have yet to be released, the scope of the project already signals a profound impact. Furthermore, the Iowa Board of Regents approved $75 million in enabling work, which includes demolishing a parking ramp, the Wendell Johnson Speech and Hearing Center, and a water tower next to Kinnick Stadium.
Demolition and Site Preparation Underway
To make room for this massive project, demolition crews have begun clearing the build site. The old parking ramp will be replaced by the new Hawkeye Parking Ramp north of Kinnick Stadium. Meanwhile, ENGIE North America is constructing a modern water tower near Carver-Hawkeye Arena to replace the older structure. Additionally, the Speech and Hearing Center is relocating to the new Health Sciences Academic Building. Beyond clearing the site, the enabling phase also includes upgrading essential utilities and preparing for a new concourse that will link the tower to the existing hospital, as well as a skywalk, an inpatient surgery platform, and a tunnel for support services.
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Construction Timeline and Oversight
After site preparation wraps up this fall, mass excavation and foundation work are scheduled to begin in January 2026. Actual tower construction is slated for December 2026, with completion targeted for 2032. The project’s sheer scale has prompted the Board of Regents to solicit proposals from independent auditing firms to monitor cost verification, contract compliance, and payment processes. Leaders have also said they will assess funding feasibility later this year, especially if federal reimbursement policies change.
A Campus and Community Story
Beyond cranes and construction, the project is stirring memories and a sense of progress among longtime staff and community members. For nearly five decades, patients and families have parked in the soon-to-be-demolished ramp and walked past the landmark water tower. One retired nurse recently shared memories of helping thousands of patients through the Speech Center’s doors, a testament to the campus’s legacy of care. Further, as new infrastructure rises, planners are gathering stories from staff to integrate into the tower’s design, ensuring the project honors both history and the promise of better healthcare for generations to come.
The Iowa Patient Care Tower Project Overview
Project Name: University of Iowa Patient Care Tower
Cost: $2.2 billion, Iowa’s most expensive construction project
Size: 842,000 square feet
Location: University of Iowa Healthcare campus, Iowa City
General Contractor: JE Dunn Construction
Architect: Neumann Monson Architects
Timeline: Site work started 2025, construction begins 2026, completion expected 2032
Demolition: Parking ramp, water tower, and Speech & Hearing Center cleared for site
Features: Surgery platform, skywalk, tunnel to support services, shelled space for future expansion
Oversight: Independent auditors monitoring costs, contracts, and compliance
