The need for the new building was underscored in a 1994 report issued by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the accrediting agency co-sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges and the American Medical Association. The building, designed by Payette Associates of Boston in conjunction with Baldwin White Architects of Des Moines, will play an instrumental role in the growth of the University's research mission. But our ability to attract and retain outstanding researchers and to garner important research grants is being limited by our lack of sufficient modern laboratory space. This project is the key to expand our research endeavors in the very competitive environment of medical research. Much of the work funded by that money is conducted in overcrowded laboratories, some of which were built before the Great Depression.
Modern medicine is extremely technology-intensive.
It is imperative that our teachers, our students, and our researchers be given the tools they need to do their important work as we close out this century. The project was approved earlier this year by the Iowa Board of Regents. The first phase is already under way and on schedule. Moving utilities, including water, sewer, gas, electrical, and fiber optics, will continue through next summer. Construction of the new Medical Education and Biomedical Research Facility will begin in fall 1999.