UI Health Care Plans $40 Million Parking Ramp Upgrade for Downtown Iowa City Campus

University of Iowa Health Care is moving ahead with a major parking improvement project at its downtown Iowa City medical campus, with plans approved for a new $40 million parking ramp.

The Iowa Board of Regents approved the project on Tuesday, June 16, allowing UI Health Care to replace the existing 430-space parking structure near the former Mercy Hospital site with a new five-level facility offering 455 parking spaces. The project is intended to improve access and day-to-day operations for patients, visitors, and hospital staff.

The new ramp will be located on North Van Buren Street, between East Market Street and East Jefferson Street, adjacent to the UI Health Care Medical Center Downtown campus. Planned features include vehicle entrances and exits from North Van Buren Street, covered bicycle parking on the first level, pedestrian access at street level, and a second-level connection to the existing skywalk.

Funding for the $40 million development will come from UI Health Care earnings and equity, together with operating income and reserves from the UI Parking System. According to project documents, replacing the current structure is also expected to remove approximately $5 million in deferred maintenance needs.

Construction is scheduled to take place in two stages. The first phase, including demolition of the existing parking ramp, is expected to run from November 2026 through February 2027. Work on the new facility is planned to begin soon after demolition is complete, with completion targeted for February 2028.

The project marks another investment by UI Health Care in its downtown campus following its takeover of the former Mercy Hospital nearly three years ago.

Source