UNL Innovation campus

[ita]

New Innovation Campus hotel in Lincoln unveils name

The Scarlet Hotel is "inspired by Nebraskans, built by Nebraskans but made for anyone who wants to experience Nebraska in a night," said Clint Runge, managing director of Lincoln-based marketing and branding firm Archrival, which helped come up with the name and branding.

Not only will the Scarlet Hotel be the only hotel on a University of Nebraska campus and in the heart of Innovation Campus to boot, it also will be close to the Devaney Center and it will be a working laboratory for students in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Hospitality, Restaurant and Tourism Management program.

The hotel will have a roughly 2,600-square-foot first floor space that will include education space, a student lounge, conference room and faculty offices for the program.

Among the other features of the $31 million hotel are a full-service restaurant, rooftop bar, coffee shop and a fitness center.
...
Construction began earlier this summer on the six-story, 154-room hotel, which will officially be a Marriott Tribute hotel. The brand allows its properties to operate like independent boutique hotels while using Marriott's booking system and rewards programs. It is scheduled to open next July.

Here are some updated pics and renderings:

[Louie]

Good to see that big area filling in. Helps stretch the urban core almost to East Campus.

[Greg S]

I like that it will have a rooftop bar.

[ita]

Initial funding in place for long-sought USDA research center at UNL

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln moved into position Tuesday to acquire a long-sought U.S. Department of Agriculture research center.

Tucked into the 2021 omnibus federal appropriations package that won congressional approval Monday night was $11.2 million in funding for the planning and design of a new USDA agricultural research service facility.
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The planning and design appropriation represented a vital first step forward in securing a long-sought USDA research center that originally had been eyed as a catalyst for rapid development of UNL's new Innovation Campus.

This is nice pickup for UNL.

[ita]

$25M federal award to expand robotics development, entrepreneurship, outreach

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is taking a lead role in a $25 million federal award that will push the boundaries of robotics innovation and serve as an economic driver for the Cornhusker State.

The award is part of a $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge program announced Sept. 2 by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Nebraska’s $25 million award will establish a Heartland Robotics Cluster. It includes $10 million that will allow the university to build out robotics-related research and teaching spaces in Kiewit Hall, Scott Engineering Center and Splinter Labs.

Additional allocations will utilize resources at Nebraska Innovation Studio and The Combine, both located at Nebraska Innovation Campus. And, the Nebraska Manufacturing Extension Partnership, part of the university’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, will use a portion of the grant to develop an automation demonstration space and program for Nebraska Manufacturers.

Here is the presentation outlining some of the programs the money will be spent on:

[Coyote]

UNL study shows fewer young people identify as religious, which could affect mental and physical health
'Our research shows religious people tend to be happier. They tend to be healthier, they have better mental health outcomes and better physical health outcomes'



Most pastors, rabbis and Imams will tell you that when it comes to attendance, the pews aren’t as full as they used to be. “I think we have seen a decline of people coming to church, in general, of all ages. For sure in young people as far as not identifying with any religion, usually called the 'nones,' that number is going up,” said Greg Griffith, lead pastor at King of Kings church in Omaha. The numbers back that up as well. According to the National Study of Youth and Religion in 1998 around 15% of young people identified as non-religious. In 2021, that number has doubled and the number of young people who have never identified as religious is surging as well.

[nebugeater]

UNL study shows fewer young people identify as religious, which could affect mental and physical health
'Our research shows religious people tend to be happier. They tend to be healthier, they have better mental health outcomes and better physical health outcomes'



Most pastors, rabbis and Imams will tell you that when it comes to attendance, the pews aren’t as full as they used to be. “I think we have seen a decline of people coming to church, in general, of all ages. For sure in young people as far as not identifying with any religion, usually called the 'nones,' that number is going up,” said Greg Griffith, lead pastor at King of Kings church in Omaha. The numbers back that up as well. According to the National Study of Youth and Religion in 1998 around 15% of young people identified as non-religious. In 2021, that number has doubled and the number of young people who have never identified as religious is surging as well.

What does this have to do with the innovation campus?

[Coyote]

USDA, UNL celebrate ‘new frontier’ of
Nebraska’s ag research and innovation partnership

LINCOLN — University of Nebraska officials Monday welcomed the groundbreaking of a new U.S. Department of Agriculture facility that they say will “expand the frontiers of agriculture.” Joined by Nebraska’s federal and state leaders, NU leaders at Nebraska Innovation Campus turned soil for the official groundbreaking of the USDA Agricultural Research Service National Center for Resilient and Regenerative Precision Agriculture. The $140 million federally funded facility will house ARS scientists and staff focused on the next generation of agriculture science.

“This groundbreaking marks the beginning of an initiative that is going to expand the frontiers of agriculture,” U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., said Monday. “… We look forward to the breakthroughs that they will make in the future because of this funding.” Mike Boehm, NU’s vice president for agriculture and natural resources and vice chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said construction will begin between this summer and fall on greenhouses, with an ultimate goal for more climate-resilient crops.


The proposed site (red outline) of the ARS National Center for Resilient and Regenerative Precision Agriculture at Nebraska Innovation Campus in Lincoln. (Courtesy of Craig Chandler, University Communication & Marketing, UNL)

[Coyote]

University of Nebraska breaks ground on new agriculture research facility

[Coyote]

Construction begins on groundbreaking precision agriculture research center



The USDA’s new National Center for Resilient and Regenerative Precision Agriculture had its groundbreaking ceremony on Monday at the University of Nebraska’s Innovation Campus. The center will be a $160 million facility and is expected to double the USDA’s science and support staff presence at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The first phase will feature 15,000 square feet of greenhouses and 10,000 square feet of headhouse space. It will connect to the Greenhouse Innovation Center at Nebraska Innovation Campus.

The new greenhouse space will allow the Agricultural Research Service to perform research on wheat, barley, sorghum, forage and bioenergy grasses, and other crops. Research on how these plants respond to emerging pests and pathogens under a full range of environmental conditions will empower scientists to make cutting-edge discoveries with the goal of developing climate-resilient crops for the U.S. agriculture industry.

[Coyote]

Groundbreaking of Precision Ag Research Center



Construction of the National Center for Resilient and Regenerative Precision Agriculture at Nebraska Innovation Campus launched with a ceremonial turning of dirt on May 6.

[Brad]

Are there any long term plans for the Lincoln Ice Box.? The new Ed Wier Stadium stadium is going up immediately to the west of it, the new buildings in the Innovation Campus to the east, Bob Devaney Sports Center to the south. Then you have this historic old building, in need of a ton of work, both inside and out.

[nebugeater]

Are there any long term plans for the Lincoln Ice Box.? The new Ed Wier Stadium stadium is going up immediately to the west of it, the new buildings in the Innovation Campus to the east, Bob Devaney Sports Center to the south. Then you have this historic old building, in need of a ton of work, both inside and out.

Per Wiki, and we know that can not be wrong, the stars have a lease through 2031, and at that point, it looks like the intention is to tear it down. I have not heard of any plans for a replacement. Could they play at the PBA?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_Box_(arena)

[Brad]

Are there any long term plans for the Lincoln Ice Box.? The new Ed Wier Stadium stadium is going up immediately to the west of it, the new buildings in the Innovation Campus to the east, Bob Devaney Sports Center to the south. Then you have this historic old building, in need of a ton of work, both inside and out.

Per Wiki, and we know that can not be wrong, the stars have a lease through 2031, and at that point, it looks like the intention is to tear it down. I have not heard of any plans for a replacement. Could they play at the PBA?

They could, but it would be way too big. Best attendance in the league is 4700, Lincoln is currently averaging 2400 (Capacity of 4200). Lincoln is 6th out of 16 teams for attendance.

[nebugeater]

Are there any long term plans for the Lincoln Ice Box.? The new Ed Wier Stadium stadium is going up immediately to the west of it, the new buildings in the Innovation Campus to the east, Bob Devaney Sports Center to the south. Then you have this historic old building, in need of a ton of work, both inside and out.

Per Wiki, and we know that can not be wrong, the stars have a lease through 2031, and at that point, it looks like the intention is to tear it down. I have not heard of any plans for a replacement. Could they play at the PBA?

They could, but it would be way too big. Best attendance in the league is 4700, Lincoln is currently averaging 2400 (Capacity of 4200). Lincoln is 6th out of 16 teams for attendance.

Agree that it is too big. If 2031 is correct, they have time to figure it out.

Do think the attendance might be better in Lincoln with a better facility