Emerging from historic 2008 floods that devastated much of the arts campus at the University of Iowa, a new Hancher Auditorium and Voxman Music Building are near completion on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City. Mortenson Construction acted as Construction Manager for both replacement facilities, which will open to the public later this summer, with students expected to start classes and performances at the venues this fall.
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Benzinga - Tuesday, July 12, 2016
The Gazette - Thursday, July 7, 2016
Sewing machines hum inside the Correctional Institution for Women in Mitchellville as inmates focus on the day’s work — taking 18 pieces of soft, smooth wool and turning them into uniform jackets. As thread from 3-inch-tall spools is spun into the fabric, the black-with-green-trim and green-with-black-trim blazers begin to take shape. Come September, they’ll be worn by the ushers at the University of Iowa’s Hancher Auditorium.
KGAN - Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Behind the walls of the Iowa Prison Industries building in Mitchellville, it might resemble a clothing manufacturing company. That's because the inmates from the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women who are involved with IPI are sewing brand new uniforms ushers will wear at the new Hancher Auditorium.
When the University of Iowa’s Hancher auditorium was devastated by the historic flooding of 2008, it was the beginning of an eight-year road to recovery that will culminate this fall in its grand re-opening. In the process, a new building was sited, designed, built and funded by the efforts of countless individuals.
For Chuck Swanson, the executive director of Hancher, it was a journey that proved the resiliency the center’s legacy, as well as the people who make it work.
The Hawk Eye - Sunday, June 19, 2016
Wow! As superlatives go, that’s the one that comes immediately to mind stepping into the performance hall last week at the new Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City.
The Daily Iowan - Wednesday, June 15, 2016
After nearly a decade of planning, design, and construction, the new Hancher is finally ready to assume its rightful place on the Iowa City horizon. Hancher Executive Director Chuck Swanson and his closely knit team never thought it would take this long. When the old Hancher was flooded in the catastrophic deluge of 2008, the crew expected the building would be in need of renovation, but they nonetheless held on to the idea that it ultimately could be salvaged.
Iowa City Press-Citizen - Wednesday, June 15, 2016
When University of Iowa officials chose Wednesday to hold an outdoor celebration of the university’s recovery since the flood of 2008, they really didn’t have to worry about the weather. “We figured we couldn’t lose today,” joked Rod Lehnertz, UI’s senior vice president. “If it would rain, we’d all say, 'Isn’t that fitting after the flood of 2008.'”
The Daily Iowan - Tuesday, June 14, 2016
This week marks the eighth anniversary of the historic flood that devastated parts of Iowa City and the University of Iowa campus. In June 2008, the flood caused $230 million in damage and cleanup costs to the university. One-sixth of the campus buildings closed, with 20 sustaining damage. In celebration of several nearly completed flood-recovery projects, the Iowa City City Council voted June 6 to rename Clinton Street Inspiration Avenue for the 2016-17 school year.
KWWL - Friday, June 10, 2016
A piece of Iowa City history -- restored after destruction. "It's exciting to be here," said Chuck Swanson, standing in the brand new Hancher Auditorium. Swanson, the auditorium's executive director, remembers the 2008 floods well. "Almost 8 years to the day, our original Hancher had padlocks put on the doors," he said. It never reopened. But this fall, a new 1,800 seat theater will replace it.
KWWL - Friday, June 10, 2016
Tickets for the first season at the new Hancher Auditorium go on sale at 10 a.m.