University of Iowa to Take Down Flood Barriers

The University of Iowa will soon begin taking down flood barriers surrounding campus buildings.

The university announced the decision Friday, saying the threat of further flooding had diminished, according to the Iowa City Press-Citizen.

The university is taking bids on a project to remove the flood barriers, make repairs to sidewalks and pedestrian walkways, and landscape the areas of campus affected by the barriers. The university already has a contract in place to remove the floodwall that was built around Art Building West.

The university estimates that the cleanup and restoration process will cost $2.3 million, including $1.25 million to remove barriers and sandbags across campus and another $1 million to restore sidewalks and other areas that were turned into construction zones.

The university spent about $2.6 million to prepare for flooding.

University officials expect that all of the buildings that were evacuated last month – including the Theatre Building, Art Building West, the former Museum of Art building that now houses the School of Music operations, and Mayflower Residence Hall – will be reopened in time for fall semester.

Art professor Steve McGuire said he expects that the School of Art and Art History will be able to move back into Art Building West within the next week or two.