A new water tower is ready for action, providing added storage to meet the University of Iowa and UI Health Care needs.
The large water tower in parking lot 75, northwest of the football practice fields and near Carver-Hawkeye Arena, replaces the one adorned with a tiger hawk on Hawkins Drive just outside the main UIHC hospital. The UI’s utility operator, Engie, started bringing the new tower into service on Monday, March 2. Work is expected to be completed by Friday, March 13.
The new tower and the impending demolition were approved by the Iowa Board of Regents in June 2025 for $25 million as part of the UI’s 10-year facilities plan. The new tower will provide an “increase in water storage capacity” to meet campus and health care facility needs and “improve reliability.”
The construction of the new tower, demolition of the old tower, and water system connection will be funded by UI Health Care.
Tower removal makes way for UIHC’s new inpatient tower
The water tower on Hawkins Drive, which can be seen from inside nearby Kinnick Stadium, is scheduled for removal “later this year,” according to a news release.
The Board of Regents approved razing the water tower, the Wendell Johnson Speech and Hearing Center, and hospital Parking Ramp 1 as part of “early work” for a $1.5 billion, 842,000-square-foot inpatient tower.
The demolitions eliminate $5 million in deferred maintenance.
The core construction for UIHC’s new inpatient tower is scheduled to begin in 2028 after the timeline was adjusted in September.
What to know about Engie, the UI’s utilities partner
The University of Iowa’s utility partnership dates back to 2020, when the Iowa Board of Regents approved the 50-year partnership with ENGIE North America and Meridiam.
ENGIE paid $1.1 billion upfront to manage the UI’s utility system for 50 years. In 2020, the university spent $153 million to pay off existing debt and $13 million to cover consulting fees.
The remaining portion of the upfront payment, around $999 million, is in an endowment to fund the University of Iowa’s strategic plan.
The five priorities include: excellence in teaching and learning, innovative research and creative discovery, welcoming environment, holistic well-being and success, and transformative societal impact.
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @rishjessica_
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: What we know about the UI’s $25M water tower as it readies for action
Reporting by Jessica Rish, Iowa City Press-Citizen / Iowa City Press-Citizen
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