Former Grace University Site
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:14 am
Anyone know what construction they're doing down on campus? Â They were issued a $4,000,000 building permit, which must mean some fairly serious construction / remodeling....
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The deed transfer states it was a sale transaction as recreational property. Grace also has the two lots on Fifth Street numbered 2712 and 2716. Purchased from Riverview Sports Association. I guess these are for intramural sports?Coyote wrote:I had no idea they had that property. I wonder if someone donated that plot to them.
The cost to renovate most of the buildings at Dana would be a lot. Most of the dorm buildings are falling apart and the suite style housing had a water leak a few weeks ago.Otown88 wrote:Was talking to someone affiliated with Grace University tonight and it sounds like there in big financial trouble. The athletic director/basketball coach quit mid season to take the same position at a smaller school. One of the options they are throwing around would be to completely sell the whole campus and move out to the former Dana University in Blair. Didn't Midland drop there plans for the Blair campus because they said they wanted an Omaha campus? How nice would it be to have midland buy the campus and bring a couple thousand college students to the area, would definitely be a nice spark in the right direction.
I wonder if Midland could essentially annex Grace and do what they did with Dana; offer the same scholarships and all that jazz. The area can realistically only support so many small Christian colleges, and like you said, it would be a great opportunity to build an Omaha campus.Otown88 wrote:Was talking to someone affiliated with Grace University tonight and it sounds like there in big financial trouble. The athletic director/basketball coach quit mid season to take the same position at a smaller school. One of the options they are throwing around would be to completely sell the whole campus and move out to the former Dana University in Blair. Didn't Midland drop there plans for the Blair campus because they said they wanted an Omaha campus? How nice would it be to have midland buy the campus and bring a couple thousand college students to the area, would definitely be a nice spark in the right direction.
My ideal replacement would be an art and design college moving in. I was in Savannah and seeing the impact that Savannah College of Art and Design(or SCAD as they call it) has had on the city was impressive. And it isn't like some century old institution, it was founded in the late 70s.Garrett wrote:I wonder if Midland could essentially annex Grace and do what they did with Dana; offer the same scholarships and all that jazz. The area can realistically only support so many small Christian colleges, and like you said, it would be a great opportunity to build an Omaha campus.Otown88 wrote:Was talking to someone affiliated with Grace University tonight and it sounds like there in big financial trouble. The athletic director/basketball coach quit mid season to take the same position at a smaller school. One of the options they are throwing around would be to completely sell the whole campus and move out to the former Dana University in Blair. Didn't Midland drop there plans for the Blair campus because they said they wanted an Omaha campus? How nice would it be to have midland buy the campus and bring a couple thousand college students to the area, would definitely be a nice spark in the right direction.
That could be pretty cool too actually. I have a few friends who are down there and they love it.iamjacobm wrote:My ideal replacement would be an art and design college moving in. I was in Savannah and seeing the impact that Savannah College of Art and Design(or SCAD as they call it) has had on the city was impressive. And it isn't like some century old institution, it was founded in the late 70s.Garrett wrote:I wonder if Midland could essentially annex Grace and do what they did with Dana; offer the same scholarships and all that jazz. The area can realistically only support so many small Christian colleges, and like you said, it would be a great opportunity to build an Omaha campus.Otown88 wrote:Was talking to someone affiliated with Grace University tonight and it sounds like there in big financial trouble. The athletic director/basketball coach quit mid season to take the same position at a smaller school. One of the options they are throwing around would be to completely sell the whole campus and move out to the former Dana University in Blair. Didn't Midland drop there plans for the Blair campus because they said they wanted an Omaha campus? How nice would it be to have midland buy the campus and bring a couple thousand college students to the area, would definitely be a nice spark in the right direction.
OPS? That is interesting.iamjacobm wrote:http://www.ketv.com/article/grace-unive ... ls/8633898
Entire campus sold to OPS. Interesting.
Not the entire campus. They still own the dorms and the admin offices on 9th and William.iamjacobm wrote:http://www.ketv.com/article/grace-unive ... ls/8633898
Entire campus sold to OPS. Interesting.
The Omaha Public Schools board is buying a big chunk of land from Grace University to build a new elementary school in the Little Italy neighborhood.
The OPS board approved the $4.25 million purchase at Monday night’s board meeting.
OPS also has expressed interest in purchasing the old Sears building on Fort Crook Road in Bellevue for an elementary school.
I am trying to figure out where these students are going to go to middle school as Marrs and Norris are already overcrowded.iamjacobm wrote:So has there been that much family growth in the area to need another elementary along with Bancroft, Castelar and Liberty? Liberty will obviously not close since its a new facility, but I wonder if they would rearrange the other two.
Maybe they have their eye on a new middle school spot too? It seems like there is a huge doughnut in the DT/Midtown area.Uffda wrote:I am trying to figure out where these students are going to go to middle school as Marrs and Norris are already overcrowded.iamjacobm wrote:So has there been that much family growth in the area to need another elementary along with Bancroft, Castelar and Liberty? Liberty will obviously not close since its a new facility, but I wonder if they would rearrange the other two.
I think the only thing mentioned about middle schools in the bond issue was renovations.iamjacobm wrote:Maybe they have their eye on a new middle school spot too? It seems like there is a huge doughnut in the DT/Midtown area.Uffda wrote:I am trying to figure out where these students are going to go to middle school as Marrs and Norris are already overcrowded.iamjacobm wrote:So has there been that much family growth in the area to need another elementary along with Bancroft, Castelar and Liberty? Liberty will obviously not close since its a new facility, but I wonder if they would rearrange the other two.
Grace University’s Next Chapter in Moving Forward
As some of you may be aware, Grace University has been in discussion with representatives of the owner of the property previously occupied by Dana College in Blair, Nebraska. The purpose of these discussions has been to explore the possibility of Grace University relocating its main campus operations to that property. I am very pleased to announce that Grace University has agreed to the terms in a Letter of Intent to relocate to the former Dana College site in Blair, Nebraska. Other organizations will be occupying owner developments adjacent to the campus on the 150-acre plot.
The projected timing of the relocation would occur during the summer of 2018 pending further negotiations with the property owner and securing any necessary approvals from the Higher Learning Commission or other regulatory entities.
While a Letter of Intent is not a legally binding contract, it is a significant step forward in laying the foundation for the development of a more detailed operating agreement. We anticipate having a mutually executed operating agreement by the end of the 2016-17 school year.
In 2018, Grace will be celebrating its 75th anniversary of serving students in higher education. This will be a time to not only honor the past but also to look forward to new beginnings that can include the campus relocation and the ability to serve even greater numbers of students. We will be looking at options to revise and or expand programs and service while continuing our mission to develop servant leaders for the home, the church and the world through excellence in biblically-integrated education and through life change in a personal, discipling environment, all for the glory of God.
With regard to ongoing real estate transactions that will precede a relocation, we still anticipate closing on the sale to the Omaha Public Schools – which includes all buildings and open space located between 8th and 10th Streets and Pine and Worthington Streets – in April, with Grace retaining full use of the property as it’s currently being used until May 31, 2018.
Additionally, the sale of our South Campus three-story building on Dorcas Street is still in progress and is expected to close in late May 2017. Also, our administrative building and dorm complex is on the market. We have had several showings and conversations with interested parties. I will share more developments as things progress.
As always, we remain committed to providing the best education possible to our current and future students. If you have additional questions, we will answer as we are able throughout the process. We continue to ask for your prayers of support and discernment.
Blessings,
William L. Bauhard
Chief Executive Officer
» Omaha Public Schools has a contract to buy the most high-profile chunk that borders 10th Street and stretches eastward two blocks between Pine and Worthington Streets. OPS hopes to build an elementary school on the 3.4-acre site that would incorporate Grace’s gym and cafeteria structure.
» Bluestone Development has bought numerous parcels that form a horseshoe around the future school. Owner Christian Christensen plans to construct a variety of apartment buildings. He figures roughly 230 units could fit on the 4.5 acres broken up by a few existing houses and roads. Records show the property cost $2.6 million.
» Grace’s main administration and dorm building at 1311 S. Ninth St. are for sale and are envisioned as another roughly 120 or so market-rate apartments. The asking price is $3.5 million. Chad Hansen of CBRE/Mega Commercial Real Estate, who represents Grace, said interest is high on that former St. Catherine Hospital, which spans nearly 3 acres and contains about 142,000 square feet including the basement.
» Burlington Capital Real Estate is buying 819 Dorcas St., a 41,000-square-foot building a couple of blocks south of the main campus. Spokesman George Achola said an investment of more than $6 million would transform the structure into about 60 apartments for veterans. The place used to house mental health services, and is next to Victory Apartments, which opened for veterans in 2013.
» Also on the market are 3 acres of land near Sixth and Bancroft Streets, which were donated and at one time had been eyed for a Grace soccer field.
The 60 Unit veterans component called Victory Apartments is now open. It became Phase II to the existing 90 unit Victory Apartments. For a total of 150 units. Developers Developers announcement External Linkiamjacobm wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2017 1:09 am http://www.omaha.com/money/changes-ahea ... 224c5.html
» Burlington Capital Real Estate is buying 819 Dorcas St., a 41,000-square-foot building a couple of blocks south of the main campus. Spokesman George Achola said an investment of more than $6 million would transform the structure into about 60 apartments for veterans. The place used to house mental health services, and is next to Victory Apartments, which opened for veterans in 2013.
» Also on the market are 3 acres of land near Sixth and Bancroft Streets, which were donated and at one time had been eyed for a Grace soccer field.
Nice catch, OWH just released an article about the opening as well:U R my Helix wrote: ↑Sat Sep 19, 2020 10:02 amThe 60 Unit veterans component called Victory Apartments is now open. It became Phase II to the existing 90 unit Victory Apartments. For a total of 150 units. Developers Developers announcement External Linkiamjacobm wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2017 1:09 am http://www.omaha.com/money/changes-ahea ... 224c5.html
» Burlington Capital Real Estate is buying 819 Dorcas St., a 41,000-square-foot building a couple of blocks south of the main campus. Spokesman George Achola said an investment of more than $6 million would transform the structure into about 60 apartments for veterans. The place used to house mental health services, and is next to Victory Apartments, which opened for veterans in 2013.
» Also on the market are 3 acres of land near Sixth and Bancroft Streets, which were donated and at one time had been eyed for a Grace soccer field.
The $8.2 million Victory II project was built in partnership with the Omaha Housing Authority and the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development. The building is adjacent to the 90-unit Victory Apartments in the former St. Joseph’s Hospital, which opened in 2013. Burlington Capital also manages a similar complex in Lincoln.
The new building includes community space, laundry facilities, and a gym and fitness center. It once housed some of Grace’s administrative offices. More recently, it was home to Salvation Army Mental Health Respite Care, which provided short-term residential treatment.
Project manager George Achola said the veterans range in age from about 30 to 70. For some, the subsidized housing will be transitional while they get back on their feet after dealing with substance abuse, physical injuries or mental health problems. Others may live there permanently.
I think this is the most recent update on the project:iamjacobm wrote: ↑Thu Apr 30, 2020 2:58 pm I don't recall if we had the elementary school component in another thread, but here's some info and renderings on that project.
https://planning.cityofomaha.org/images ... May/12.pdf