More than 11 years after floodwaters forced the museum from its original building along the Iowa River, construction is underway on the new $50 million, 63,000-square-foot facility next to the UI Main Library and Gibson Square Park. Meanwhile, museum staff are preparing for an expected 2022 opening. 

Three buildings on the Pentacrest will receive makeovers after the state Board of Regents voted in approval of the University of Iowa’s request to move forward with a project to modernize and restore the center of campus.

Iowa City residents and tree enthusiasts mourned the loss of a large European larch tree, located on the Pentacrest lawn, after wind from severe storms passed through the area late Monday night. Including the European larch, about three to five trees were lost in the storm and there were lots of trees that sustained limb loss overnight Monday.