As the University of Iowa begins the restoration of its flooded buildings, those with the most classroom space will take priority, while the arts campus is not expected to be usable in the fall, project manager Jude Wawrzyniak said.

Jude Wawrzyniak, senior engineer with facilities management-design and construction at the University of Iowa, said the Adler Journalism and Becker Communications Studies buildings will be the first to undergo reconstruction and said he expects them to be open for classes in the fall.

Last week, Miron Construction Co., Inc., was awarded the contract to restore the journalism and communications buildings after submitting a $2.8 million bid, beginning the reconstruction project the University of Iowa expects to cost $232 million, according to the University’s flood recovery information Web site.

Wawrzyniak said those buildings were chosen to be restored first because they had the most classroom space, and because the classrooms did not suffer much damage.

Most of the damage was in the basement where the heating and ventilation systems were located, he said.

Wawrzyniak said there has been discussion of relocating the heating, electrical and ventilation systems to the roof to prevent damage from the potential for flooding that could occur in the future, but the planning was stalled over debate about who would cover the cost of the reconfiguration.

The university’s flood insurance only covers the cost to put the buildings back the way they were, he said.

Wawrzyniak said the university expects to be able to use the two buildings in the fall, although construction companies will still be wrapping up their work.

“There may be a doorknob or a wall base missing, or the flooring might not be quite right, but it will done,” he said.

The arts campus, including the art museum and Hancher Auditorium, will not be open at the beginning of the school year, and is still undergoing cleanup.

“They’re not as far along yet in recovery to even approach [the project of reconstruction],” Wawrzyniak said.

According to the university’s flood recovery information Web site, last week University of Iowa president Sally Mason suggested the building in which the art museum is located may be torn down and the museum relocated.

An old Menards building in Iowa City has been rented for art space, and the university’s bus system, Cambus, has been rerouted to accommodate for the changes, according to the Cambus Web site.

The next buildings to undergo reconstruction will be the English-Philosophy Building and Mayflower Residence Hall, Wawrzyniak said.

The University of Iowa is using an expedited process to award reconstruction bids, approved by Gov. Chet Culver.

Only construction companies who have recently done significant work for the university are eligible to bid.

“We’re a public entity and don’t have the luxury that a private company would have to approach one contractor,” Wawrzyniak said. “What usually takes weeks or months, we are doing in a matter of days.”

More bids for reconstruction on the campus went on Monday and are continuing to happen this week.