The University of Iowa is suing a contractor that it blames for allegedly defective construction work that damaged the historic Old Capitol building on the Iowa City campus.
The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that after the campus icon underwent a restoration, school officials discovered construction deficiencies in 2011.
The university contends that Knutson Construction, which was hired to do the work after a 2001 fire destroyed parts of the building, has refused to correct the repairs.
Knutson says it has cooperated with the university to look into the defects and propose repairs, and looks forward to “getting this matter resolved fairly and promptly.”
According to the university's web site, the Old Capitol was built in the 1840s and served as a home for the legislature for the territory of Iowa, before it became a state. The university was founded in the Old Capitol, and when the state moved its capital to Des Moines in 1857, the Old Capitol became part of the university. The building was restored and became a national landmark in the 1970s. It houses a museum
After a fire damaged the historic structure in 2001, the university brought in Knutson to reconstruct the Old Capitol's famous gold dome, cupola and tower, and replace the roof. The construction company received $1.63 million for the work, which was completed in 2004.
The Old Capitol reopened in 206.
The lawsuit asserts that faulty work on the restoration has caused water to leak through the roof, leading to deterioration of the wood siding and trim.
