University of Iowa Facilities Management

Before the new NCAA Elite Eight court could be installed, Facilities Management crews helped prepare the space by scrubbing and cleaning the concrete surface after the previous court was removed section by section.

The University of Iowa recently purchased the official court used in the NCAA Houston Regional Elite Eight, bringing a piece of March basketball history to Iowa City and replacing the current court that has been in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since 2016.

Pictured is FM custodian Stephen Henggeler helping prepare the arena for the next phase of installation as work continues on the new court. 🏀

Iowa Hawkeyes

Spaces built to hold the biggest moments 🎓🫶

Congratulations, Class of 2026! See ya next week at Carver-Hawkeye Arena and Hancher Auditorium 🥲

Earth Month may be over, but tree care never stops 😤

Our tree crew is dedicated to taking care of our trees all year long, and three years ago completed an incredible feat: relocating a 6-ton state champion tree over a quarter of a mile.

It was a lucky twist of fate that saved the Blackhaw viburnum when South Quadrangle was slated to be removed in 2023 to make room for the new Health Sciences Academic Building. The tree team feared that the tree may be too big to transport.

But a chance meeting with a large tree specialist changed the tree's fate. A Boston-area large tree specialist happened to be in town relocating other big trees. After confirming that the trees were viable for transport, the specialist taught our tree crew how to ball and burlap trees of that size. With the rental of a large loader capable of lifting the tree's estimated weight of 12,000-14,000 pounds, the tree was off to its new home near the Boyd Law Building.

The tree was successfully transplanted and just celebrated its third year in its new home.

Meet Ada Glick, Custodian in Calvin Hall 💛
From spotless floors to welcoming spaces, Ada’s attention to detail doesn’t go unnoticed. Her work helps create an environment where students and staff can focus, learn, and feel at home! 🧼✨

Join us on Wednesday, April 29, from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. for a hands-on volunteer event planting a rain garden with native species in the Quad Ravine! 🌱

Meet-up location: Bowen Science Building (south patio)
What you’ll be doing: Planting native plugs (about 4,000 total!)
Provided for you: Shovels, tools, and gloves
What to wear: Closed-toed shoes and long pants are recommended

Stay as long as you’re able – any help is appreciated!

Come support local ecosystems and help make a visible impact on campus sustainability! 🌎

Did someone say Earth Month... 👀🌎🌞🌳🌱🌷

Our former state champion elm is getting a fresh trim for spring! 🌳 ✂️

If you’re near the Pentacrest on the east side of Schaeffer Hall on March 4–5, please be aware that a specialized arborist is hard at work pruning the elm to keep the tree healthy and thriving for years to come.
An aerial lift is being utilized to safely remove branches and limbs, so please be mindful of equipment and signage in the area.

Learn more about campus tree management here: https://facilities.uiowa.edu/tree-management

As we reflect on 2025, Facilities Management is proud of the progress made across campus. Check out a few highlights from our year! 📅🥳

Miyawaki Forest Planting: Nearly 4,000 saplings were planted by Landscape Services and community members to create Iowa’s second-largest Miyawaki forest, supporting campus biodiversity.

Service Member Career Support: Building Operations and Maintenance launched a SkillBridge program with the help of F&O HR, providing active-duty service members civilian work experience — a first for the University of Iowa.

Major Campus Projects: Major projects were completed, including the Hawkeye Parking Ramp, Health Sciences Academic Building Phase One, UI Health Care North Liberty, and the Nagle-Duda Gymnastics & Spirit Squads Training Center.

Web Accessibility: Teams completed full accessibility remediation for multiple web applications and partnered with Students for Disability Advocacy at Iowa to improve the accessibility web map.

Building Operations Reliability: Data and staff insights were used to identify and prioritize campus reliability issues, helping reduce disruptions.

Thank you to everyone who helped make 2025 a successful year. We’re excited to see what 2026 will bring!

A living piece of history on the Oakdale Campus 🌳

On the University of Iowa’s Oakdale Campus, a 125-year-old American chestnut, believed to be the second oldest in the state, continues to thrive. In the early 1900s, a fungal blight swept through the eastern United States and wiped out billions of American chestnuts, leaving only a small number of mature trees standing today.

Watch the video featuring campus arborist Andy Dahl, who shares why this tree matters, how it’s supporting national research efforts, and what makes it such a unique part of the Iowa campus landscape.

We The People: How Iowa is part of the effort to save the rare American chestnut tree On the University of Iowa’s Oakdale campus in Coralville, you’ll find a rare mature American chestnut tree.For more Local News from KCRG: https://www.kcrg.co...