'Networking Magnet': UNK's New Offices Will Be Regional Hub | National News

A clear sky. Low near 50F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

A clear sky. Low near 50F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.

The $15.6 million, 52,000-square-foot Regional Engagement Center will be on the west side of the access street for University Village in Kearney. It will open in 2023.

KEARNEY — Amazing things happen when ambitious, visionary people cross paths.

That’s the driving principle underpinning a $15.6 million office and regional meeting facility that’s scheduled to open sometime in 2023 in University Village at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

About 150 people gathered last week on the 104-acre University Village tract near UNK to break ground for the facility that will be called the Regional Engagement Center. Chancellor Doug Kristensen said the 52,000-square-foot facility will house a number of regular tenants, but it’s also expected to be a magnet for important meetings and decision-makers from across the state.

NU will seek 3% increase in state appropriations over next biennium

Regents could boost NU president's total compensation to $1.5 million next year

“It really is a tremendous project,” Kristensen said.

Given the Regional Engagement Center’s central Nebraska location, Kristensen said it is anticipated the center will become a gathering place for greater Nebraska that will fortify Kearney’s role as a regional hub through in-person and virtual meetings, events and presentations. The center will also feature office space so that businesses, nonprofits and other organizations can establish or grow their presence with prime access to a large pool of potential employees: UNK’s 6,600 students.

Several businesses and organizations have already signed as tenants, but Kristensen sprinkled his speech with multiple hints that plenty of office space is still available to lease.

Watch now: Health care sector in Nebraska works to rebuild, bolster workforce

50 years at Fort Kearny, Gene Hunt is 'having too much fun' to retire

Among the initial tenants is Olsson, an engineering and design firm. Other tenants are Grand Island-based manufacturer Chief Industries and Allo Communications.

“Olsson has been invested in the Regional Engagement Center since its inception,” said Joe Johnson, Olsson’s business consultant leader for Nebraska and a UNK graduate. “We are excited to grow with the state. This expands our footprint into Greater Nebraska.”

The $15.6 million, 52,000-square-foot Regional Engagement Center will be on the west side of the access street for University Village in Kearney. It will open in 2023.

Olsson operates in nine states. It’s headquartered in Lincoln and has satellites in eight Nebraska cities, including Kearney, Grand Island, Hastings and Holdrege.

Roger Bullington, president and general manager of Chief Construction, said the REC “will be a huge networking facility. The fact we’re a partner with UNK is tremendous.”

Also housed in the Regional Engagement Center will be the UNK Alumni Association and University of Nebraska Foundation. They are in a small office building several blocks from campus.

Approved in December by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, the center will create a centerpiece for the University Village development.

UNK will own and occupy approximately 24,000 square feet inside the two-story building and contribute about $10.4 million in funding through an internal lending program. A private investment company will cover remaining costs.

University Village, a public-private development south of UNK’s main campus, is designed as a pedestrian-oriented neighborhood featuring residential, retail, academic, recreation, community engagement and service industry facilities.

Village Flats opened there in the summer of 2018, and the Plambeck Early Childhood Education Center followed in the fall of 2019. Construction started last fall on the $48 million Element 30 housing project, a partnership between UNK and Grand Island real estate developer Scott Rief that will add upscale apartments, townhomes and 10-plexes to the area. UNK also worked with the city of Kearney and private donors to build an indoor tennis complex that opened earlier this year.

NU will seek 3% increase in state appropriations over next biennium

Dominic Silva (left) lifts up Dertha Williams with help as he pushes her on a tire swing during Lincoln's annual Uncle Sam Jam at Oak Lake Park on Sunday.

Konni Anderson (left) talks with Becca Monroe of West Mill Flowers Friday.

Nebraska State Patrol Trooper Ravi Singh demonstrates a drone during a news conference on Thursday at Nebraska State Patrol headquarters.

Ashley Peterson, a special-education teacher at Lincoln Northwest who suffers from prosopagnosia, also known as facial blindness, was recently featured in a National Geographic story talking about the condition.

Teri King (left) and Tom Dorshorst dance during The Zoo Bar's ZooFest music festival July 8.

Lincoln's catcher Skyler Weber reacts after scoring a run against Kansas City during Saturday's game at Haymarket Park.

Skaters perform during the USA Roller Sports Roller Figure Skating Indoor National Championships on Saturday at Speedway Sports Complex.

Charity Reeves is shown Friday in her kitchen in Nebraska City. Reeves said her brain fog persists after recovering from the initial symptoms of COVID-19, and she has to rely on note cards to remind her of daily tasks such as turning off the stove.

Cathy Smith (from left), Rick Boucher and Shelly Horton ride horses in Pioneers Park on Monday. The city has approved restoring 1.9 miles of horse trails in the park.

LINCOLN, NEB. - 07/06/2022 - Buster the dog looks on as supporters of medical marijuana sign petitions, Wednesday, July 6, 2022. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

LINCOLN, NEB. - 07/10/2022 - Protesters march around Lincoln Station during a rally in support of union rail workers, Sunday, July 10, 2022. Union rail workers in Nebraska are negotiating a new contract under the Railway Labor Act, after the previous contract expired in 2019. NOAH RIFFE, Journal Star

Carpet Land's Owen Laessig's hat flies off his head as he throws to first base to retire a JC Brager batter on June 29, 2022, at Den Hartog Field.

Customers carry out fireworks from Black Dragon Fireworks in Hickman on Friday.

Dana Davenport, Josie Kinsinger and Dee Bronson (from left) set up a phone so they can film a reel for Instagram at Aria Rose Bath Co. on Thursday.

Racers run out of the starting line during the Husker Road Race Sunday at Memorial Stadium.

Women display signs to passing cars during an abortion rights rally held in front of the Nebraska State Capitol on Monday.

Andie Trimble (left) and Nicole Polivka wear paint-stained dresses while protesting the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade during an abortion rights rally held in front of the Nebraska State Capitol on Monday.

Carpet Land celebrates after defeating Pinnacle Bank in the A-5 American Legion tournament championship Tuesday at Den Hartog Field.

Nebraska state Sen. Julie Slama hugs a campaign volunteer after a press conference hosted by Citizens for Voter ID at the Capitol on Thursday. Citizens for Voter ID submitted petitions to the secretary of state to add a voter ID requirement to the state constitution.

Originally published on kearneyhub.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange.

Despite the rainy weather, dozens turned out for the annual Steppin’ for Life 2K/5K run and walk. Read more

Governor Brad Little announced Friday the appointment of Eva Nye to the District 29 Senate seat vacated by her late husband, Senator Mark Nye. Read more

A local 2k and 5k fun run/walk is set for this weekend. Read more