UI Requests Regent OK for Acceptance of Des Moines Higher Education Center
Under the gift/purchase proposal, the UI would pay $2 million to the JMPEC Foundation for the building and real estate. The purchase price represents a considerably discounted price over the original cost of development, which was between $9 million and $10 million.
The property consists of a three-story building of nearly 35,000 square feet as well as more than 16,000 square feet of land at 12th Street and Grand Avenue, Des Moines.
"We are extremely grateful to John and Mary Pappajohn for their continuing generosity toward the University of Iowa as well as their continuing commitment to providing educational opportunities for Iowans," said UI President Sally Mason. "Our presence in this very visible downtown location is intended to be a strong statement about the University of Iowa's commitment to being an eager and active member of the Des Moines community."
The JMPEC was constructed in 2004 to house the Des Moines Higher Education Collaborative, an association of Iowa colleges and universities as well as the Des Moines Public Schools offering higher education, professional development and corporate training opportunities for central Iowans.
The UI School of Social Work has leased space within JMPEC since September 2004 and will continue to occupy space. The Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center will also have an office there, as will units of the UI College of Education, the UI Tippie College of Business, and the UI College of Public Health. In addition, the JMPEC will house an advising center for distance learners interested in earning a UI degree.
Contact: Steve Parrott, University of Iowa Spokesperson, 319-335-0552
