U of I School of Music Update, Crowne Plaza Buyer?

University of Iowa School of Music Update
I haven't been purposely neglecting Iowa City, but there has been very little development news that I have run across lately.  However, today it was announced that the University of Iowa is seeking to rebuild the Voxman Music Building and Clapp Recital Hall at a new location in downtown Iowa City.  This would replace the existing Voxman Building attached to Hancher Auditorium, two structures that succumbed to the 2008 floods.  The new School of Music would be integrated into a mixed use condominium project, with the School of Music using four and a half floors of the space.  The location of the project would be at the intersections of Burlington and Clinton Streets, with the recital hall being built directly across the street from the school of music.
KCRG
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City of Cedar Rapids to buy Crowne Plaza?

Mayor Ron Corbett announced intentions today for the City of Cedar Rapids to purchase the beleaguered Crowne Plaza Hotel.  The Crowne Plaza, formerly owned by Kronos Hotels of Atlanta, was acquired by WG Capital Management through foreclosure in 2008. The hotel has struggled in recent years with poor management and slow progress on renovations.  The City Council is negotiating the purchase at around $3 million dollars, and would seek to modernize the 31-year old hotel in the wake of a new events center being planned next door.

Gazette

Crowne Plaza Hotel in the distance