Home/ News/ Education/ Higher Education
Expect to pay up to $771,516
October 28, 2021 at 6:00 am, update time: October 28, 2021 at 4:50 pm
Iowa City-The University of Iowa at its Stead Family and Children's Hospital has identified 77 additional windows that require emergency safety films-an additional $771,516 was spent-to prevent breakage or pose a safety risk.
UI Health Care revealed this week that in its four-year-old 14-story children's hospital, it found more damaged windows when it asked the state board to approve an emergency authorization contract with Marv's Glass to apply more safety films.
According to the part of the Iowa Code cited by UIHC, the board of directors must generally open bids for projects that are expected to exceed $100,000, unless “delays in repairs, restoration, or reconstruction of public facilities may result in serious loss or injury "In its request.
The new UIHC requirements, scheduled to be considered by the board of directors next week, are after the university’s approval in April, it will cost between US$10 and US$15 million to replace a two-story layered or cracked window-the window is in July 2019. It was discovered in May and opened just two years after the facility was built.
When the proposal was submitted in April, UIHC reported that it had “installed protective films on all windows identified as potential safety hazards to provide an additional margin of safety.” At that time, UIHC stated that it would actively monitor all windows-and determine at the same time. Permanent solution-UI senior vice president of finance and operations Rod Lehnertz told the board that the hospital may find more problem windows.
"The work we are doing is not just the affected windows," Lehnertz said in April, adding, "We will continue to monitor and investigate any other incidents. But it's not just the obvious damage to the windows, but also a wider area. "
Regents spokesperson Josh Lehman confirmed to The Gazette this week that, in addition to the windows on the 4th and 5th floors, UIHC said in the spring that 77 windows that were determined to require safety film to be replaced—need emergency authorization.
Although the university has not received emergency authorization, it reported in the Regency document that “installation will begin in October 2021”.
UIHC refused to answer The Gazette's question about the current location of the US$10-15 million window replacement project; if the other 77 windows are located on different floors from the originally identified windows; how much has UIHC spent on replacement so far; If it has an overall schedule.
In April, the university reported that it was investigating possible causes, including manufacturer and installation issues. Lehnertz stated that UIHC intends to "acquire the responsible party to account." But officials did not answer questions about buying insurance or warranty coverage this week.
A UIHC official said in a statement: “As part of its commitment to a safe, high-quality care environment, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics actively monitor and maintain their facilities on a regular basis.” “This monitoring found some windows. Performance problems. UIHC immediately took measures to install protective films, expanded monitoring of windows, and replaced windows as needed."
The Bulletin reported in April that UIHC had paid a consultant nearly $1 million to assess the loss and provide a solution. At that time, it had also paid $577,751 to Marv's Glass in Iowa City to install the film.
Officials said that these costs were included in a $100,000 to $15 million replacement project, which pushed the already inflated children's hospital budget to $407 million - $137 million higher than the original budget of $270 million.
Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com
We strive to provide fair and accurate insurance because we value your trust. If you find errors or omissions in our report, please let us know here.
Do you have any story ideas worthy of our research? Please tell us here.
Vanessa Miller Education March 18, 2020 4:14 PM
Vanessa Miller Education December 2, 2019 at 6:45 am
Vanessa Miller Education November 28, 2019 at 10:37 am
The Gazette is an independent, employee-owned local, state, and national news source for Iowa.