Nebraska Medicine

[laserdisque]

Activity is picking up a bit in the old steel plant. There is some light construction equipment on site and it looks like they are cleaning out any unusable scrap and junk.

[OmahaRedWing]

Will there be a formal announcement by UNMC on project NExT? Like something that announces the full scale of the project, total inviestment, buildings, scope and cost?

[S.O.Boy]

Activity is picking up a bit in the old steel plant. There is some light construction equipment on site and it looks like they are cleaning out any unusable scrap and junk.

They removed most of the corrugated metal skin.

[Coyote]

City of Omaha to acquire land for expanded Nebraska Medicine campus



The landscape along the Saddle Creek corridor around Leavenworth is slowly changing. The Omaha City Council voted 6-0 to approve acquiring property for Nebraska Medicine’s Saddle Creek campus. There are a number of businesses located in the city’s Public Improvements Necessity Ordinance boundary. The city will negotiate to buy -- or condemn the property if negotiations fail. There are business owners concerned about where they fit into the plans for the area’s growth. Owners of two businesses along Saddle Creek tell 6 News they don’t know which way to turn, and the future of their business is up in the air. They do believe the city will take some of their property.

[ita]

Farnam Street stretch to close April 24

[yman97]

That doesn't look good for Rathskellar. I wonder how they're going to manage for six months with the surrounding streets being closed.

[Louie]

Still using the taller UNMC rendering in the video. Shame if Neighber’s closes. I’ve always liked that dive.

[Louie]

I dont see them surviving this. Its seems like no one considered them?

[almighty_tuna]

Shame if Neighber’s closes. I’ve always liked that dive.

Agreed. Gems like this give a neighborhood character (and characters).

[legato9]

That is so, so wrong if the city forces people out. Their property belongs to them.

It’ll leave a massive stain on my assessment of Omaha if they do that to these people.

[iamjacobm]

Not sure that report got things very accurate. As I understood, the city will be reworking the streets/intersections here and will need some land to make it work, but this made it seem like UNMC is going to come through and wholly purchase these buildings.

Losing some land obviously impacts them, but the city acquiring land for expanded ROW is different than the UMNC acquiring these properties. Maybe my understanding of the situation is wrong though.

[almighty_tuna]

It’ll leave a massive stain on my assessment of Omaha if they do that to these people.

The concept of imminent domain is utilized by pretty much every municipality in the country.

*eminent domain is even more popular.

[ita]

Not sure that report got things very accurate. As I understood, the city will be reworking the streets/intersections here and will need some land to make it work, but this made it seem like UNMC is going to come through and wholly purchase these buildings.

Losing some land obviously impacts them, but the city acquiring land for expanded ROW is different than the UMNC acquiring these properties. Maybe my understanding of the situation is wrong though.

I think you are right, though the confusion about what's really going on here is indicative of the problem with the City. You can't find any information regarding what they voted on. It was not part of the regular council meeting, at least from I can tell in the agenda. Landowners need to be educated as well as the media so there is no confusion about what's going on. I heard on the radio that businesses were not concerned about losing property but losing business based on infrastructure changes.

[legato9]

It’ll leave a massive stain on my assessment of Omaha if they do that to these people.

The concept of imminent domain is utilized by pretty much every municipality in the country.

That might be true. But it doesn't change the fact that it's wrong or that it'll be a serious ding in my affection for Omaha. I live in Midtown, and every time I see something on that land, I'll have to think "the city stole that from someone." That's a serious bummer.

[S.O.Boy]

It’ll leave a massive stain on my assessment of Omaha if they do that to these people.

The concept of imminent domain is utilized by pretty much every municipality in the country.

*eminent domain is even more popular.

I somewhat tribute it being more popular to a change in attitudes, both good and bad. I mean there are projects perceived as bad and many resisted and the project goes away. And just the same there people that dig in their heels no matter what.

https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/WOW ... 44688.html

[ita]

This recent article has an update on Project NExT, mostly, they are still working on it. I don't know why this didn't show up on the OWH home page since this is potentially the biggest economic development project in the region; I just happened to come across it from a Google News suggestion.

Global Center's role grew during the pandemic, formed foundation of Project NExT

Julie Anderson
When a pile of dirt gets moved on the University of Nebraska Medical Center campus, Omahans are used to seeing a new building emerge.

In the case of a 7½-acre site on the northern edge of campus — the former site of the Munroe-Meyer Institute — the building most expect to see is what has been labeled Project NExT. It’s been billed as a multibillion-dollar hospital that would double as a federal all-hazards response facility.
...
And yes, there will be construction on the site, said Dr. Jeffrey Gold, UNMC’s chancellor. While the timing still isn’t certain, it will happen sooner than later.

The project took a key step forward in May 2021, when Omaha was named one of five pilot sites in the U.S. tasked with developing a federal program to bolster the nation’s disaster response capacity. The goals are to improve the National Disaster Medical System, a federal program that provides trained medical personnel to respond to disasters, and to bolster the nation’s surge capacity.

A lot of work continues behind the scenes. But Gold said he has learned that there is often a gap between when Congress authorizes projects and when the body funds them.

“That’s what we’re dealing with, is that gap right now,” he said.

In addition, the White House is in its third administration since the project began. Both the pandemic and the war in Ukraine have absorbed time and treasure that might otherwise have been invested in other projects.

The good news: Demolition and site preparation, funded by philanthropists, were completed for significantly less than anticipated, allowing contractors to do more to create a structural base than expected, Gold said.

Meanwhile, planning still is under way for what will be a multi-phase project, Gold said, likening the physical portion of the project to a series of blocks that can be added to over time. The first phase will involve replacing physical facilities that need updating. The second will depend on work with a handful of federal agencies and departments, including defense, health and human services and the Veterans Administration.

[Coyote]

UNMC expansion: Omaha plans to acquire some Saddle Creek businesses



The city of Omaha plans to negotiate with business owners along Saddle Creek in order to help build UNMC's Saddle Creek campus. City officials could be forced to use eminent domain in order to acquire certain private properties. Multiple business owners say they're waiting for more communication from the city about that process — after a public meeting months ago this year.

[S.O.Boy]

Farnam St between S 46th St and S Saddle Creek Rd
Reason: Building Construction
Restriction: Eastbound curb lane restricted

Start: 4/5/2023, 7:00 am
End: 4/25/2023
Duration: 3 weeks
Contractor: Kiewit Building Group

Now starting 4/24

[ita]

Here's the ordinance regarding the City acquiring property for UNMC:

https://cityclerk.cityofomaha.org/image ... -43352.pdf

[Coyote]

A stretch of Farnam St. will close April 24th for UNMC development project



UNMC will start road work on its first phase of the UNMC Saddle Creek campus public improvement project soon. FOX 42's Jessica Salinas spoke to a nearby business owner about how the project might affect their business.

[S.O.Boy]

KETV reported Farnam closed till December.

[Mang]

Anyone know if the existing structure of the steel plant is going to be reused or incorporated into the design somehow? Just wondering because it seems as though they are being pretty careful in its deconstruct/demo - as if they are trying to keep the frame intact (as opposed to just mowing it all down). I've lived a couple blocks away for 20+ years, pretty crazy to see the view change bit by bit each day.

[Louie]

Anyone know if the existing structure of the steel plant is going to be reused or incorporated into the design somehow? Just wondering because it seems as though they are being pretty careful in its deconstruct/demo - as if they are trying to keep the frame intact (as opposed to just mowing it all down). I've lived a couple blocks away for 20+ years, pretty crazy to see the view change bit by bit each day.

Yes, thats been the plan all along.

[Athomsfere]

Anyone know if the existing structure of the steel plant is going to be reused or incorporated into the design somehow? Just wondering because it seems as though they are being pretty careful in its deconstruct/demo - as if they are trying to keep the frame intact (as opposed to just mowing it all down). I've lived a couple blocks away for 20+ years, pretty crazy to see the view change bit by bit each day.

Specifically this was approved:
https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/09/26 ... mc-campus/

[Athomsfere]

The innovation center, and really all of Saddlecreek here is starting to feel really different.

I hope Neighbors survives though.

[Louie]

The innovation center, and really all of Saddlecreek here is starting to feel really different.

I hope Neighbors survives though.

Agreed.

[Renovator2559]

Omaha VA explores partnership for new care facility, including possibly UNMC's Project NExT

Henry Cordes
It’s been less than a year since the Omaha VA opened a new outpatient care facility to serve the region’s veterans, built through a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership with Omaha philanthropists.

Now the Omaha VA is exploring another public-private partnership to improve inpatient hospital and surgical facilities for veterans — with one possibility discussed being to include such a facility as part of the massive Project NExT on the University of Nebraska Medical Center campus.

To help lay the groundwork for a potential new inpatient facility, U.S. Rep. Don Bacon and U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer this week introduced legislation reauthorizing the CHIP-IN for Veterans Act, the 2016 federal law providing for public-private partnerships that made the Omaha outpatient care center possible.

Bacon said the lawmakers sought the five-year reauthorization for the expiring law at the request of the Omaha VA.

Very early in discussions, according to the article, but another possible addition to the NExT Project. Expansion may be either at UNMC Project NExT or VA's current location. Anyway, another thing to watch for.

That's interesting for sure.

Part of me would love to see it go to the VA site, and pull some development south. But I feel like the better overall solution would be at UNMC to not divide resources.

I related update:

VA report recommends building new hospital in Omaha, clinics in Fremont, Bluffs

The report recommends that the Nebraska-Western Iowa VA spend $1.7 billion on building costs. It also opens the door to moving the hospital to a nearby site with an academic partner, rather than remaining on the current campus.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center has been discussing building a new teaching hospital, and local leaders have suggested that the VA might join the effort.

“This is great for Omaha and Eastern Nebraska,” said U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., who represents much of the metro area. “Our VA is continually rated one of best in the country, and there is great synergy with our VA and the other medical institutions such as UNMC. We can build on this great success and make it even better.”

In addition to the new Nebraska hospital and clinics, the VA calls for improving how the Omaha VA houses people seeking inpatient mental health treatment, including more single-bed rooms.

Holy cow, if the VA moved to UNMC, that would push UNMC NExT to $5+ billion! Anyway, this is years in the future, but what happens to the current VA? Nustyle's big project 10 years from now? Anyway, this report still needs approved by the President and Congress, but interesting news coming out of it for Omaha.

I guess I got this one right

Has anyone toured the Atlas? Not the best apartments for the price, IMO.
The location is great, but the units can feel very dark and cut off. I'm not sure they'd try that exact thing again, but I think the floor plans at the VA would be better suited. And the location could be great still. The bike routes to downtown / Creighton aren't bad at least. But it is also a bit of a deadzone for things to do.

But, yes! This at UNMC is going to be great!

The Atlas won't be a dead zone for long, the second phase of the streetcar will pass on 30th street and also the lots south of that will fill with developments, including the properties east of midtown properties

[Louie]

The Atlas won't be a dead zone for long, the second phase of the streetcar will pass on 30th street and also the lots south of that will fill with developments, including the properties east of midtown properties

Which lots south of the Atlas would be developed?

[Renovator2559]

These lots as the i480 ramp is tweaked, it's a no brainer as the future streetcar line is planned to go through here.

[Louie]

These lots as the i480 ramp is tweaked, it's a no brainer as the future streetcar line is planned to go through here.

Ahhh, so this would coincide with a change to the off-ramp. That makes more sense.

[ita]

UNMC's footprint — and impact — have continued to grow

Julie Anderson
It’s been a long week, so you decide to stop in for a pint and a Reuben sandwich at the Rathskeller Bier Haus at 45th and Farnam Streets.

What you might not know is that the property is owned by the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

UNMC hasn’t given up education and research for the restaurant biz, though. The university instead leases the property to the business’s owner. Same goes for the Don & Millie’s property at 44th and Farnam, the KPTM-TV station at 46th and Farnam and the current Community Alliance headquarters at 41st and Leavenworth Streets.

All four are part of UNMC’s expanded footprint in midtown Omaha, which has added about a million square feet of building space over each of the past several decades and now stands at about 10 million square feet, including parking garages.

“It’s a big footprint and an important one we take seriously, in service to our state and community,” said Brian Spencer, executive director of campus development and real estate and campus architect for UNMC and Nebraska Medicine, its clinical partner.
...
UNMC and Nebraska Medicine together employ about 14,800 people, according to UNMC officials. Separately, Nebraska Medicine ranks No. 2 behind Offutt Air Force Base and UNMC No. 6 on the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce’s list of top 10 employers in the Omaha metro area. Last year, the university brought in $169.7 million in total research awards, an increase of 4% from the year before and the second-highest amount on record.

Gold noted, however, that land acquisition in the area is largely complete. The university and its partners may add one or two more parcels, but the goal will be to even out borders rather than to add acres. “We don’t see the need for much more,” he said.

[BIGO88]

Pretty good article with how UNMC is mixing Old/New Architecture.

https://lsc-pagepro.mydigitalpublicatio ... cleBrowser

[Athomsfere]

Pretty good article with how UNMC is mixing Old/New Architecture.

https://lsc-pagepro.mydigitalpublicatio ... cleBrowser

That's a neat design that I had no idea was in there!

[Brad]

Pretty good article with how UNMC is mixing Old/New Architecture.

https://lsc-pagepro.mydigitalpublicatio ... cleBrowser

That's a neat design that I had no idea was in there!

No kidding! I've never see that before either.

[Flyer14]

Its really great to see in person. That indoor pavilion is used a ton for meetings and presentations where the stage is. For bigger presentations they bring a tons of chairs, but usually its a less formal setting for anyone to lounge or eat. There was a Dunkin Donuts for a short while too.

[S.O.Boy]

They are removing concrete around the buildings.

[ita]

I pulled this from the Corrections Center. it was posted by Coyote. I was just thinking about prior discussions that there may be some integration of VA Hospital with UNMC campus. This still frame helps put it in perspective; UNMC, DC Health/Medical Campus and the VA are all interconnected physically. I think there are even more possibilities to make it a more interconnected and really a singular, multi-organizational campus. There's already plans for a pedestrian bridge to connect the Field Club Trail to the UNMC/NEMed campus. It would be really nice to see those UNMC surface lots and some areas in the DC Medical campus developed into dense housing for those working throughout the medical campuses. With the DC Youth correction facility moved downtown, there are further opportunities there and there're probably opportunities there for consolidation of county medical offices. Just dreaming.

[Toto]

With all the land cleared on the south east corner of 42 and Farnam, its now easy to see where the next project will be.

[Mapguy]

It would be nice if UNMC could pull the sidewalk off Leavenworth St for the portions they control. Lots of pedestrians use Leavenworth---it would be nice if there was a median of grass to give people some space and distance from fast moving traffic.

Currently the sidewalks in front of their parking lots is pushed to the curb and shares space with the OPPD power poles.

[Flyer14]

The Med Center both added trees to the east side, and removed old and planted new trees on the west side of 42nd between Harney and Dewey. It will look great with time.