The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved a policy Friday morning that opens the door to the possibility that alcohol could someday be served at Husker athletic events.
The University of Nebraska Board of Regents on Friday approved the demolition of the former Munroe-Meyer Institute complex on the University of Nebraska Medical Center campus, clearing the way for what university officials have called another great set of opportunities.
The 7½-acre site where the institute was situated for decades has been identified as a possible location for Project NExT. The project is a proposal by UNMC and Nebraska Medicine that would combine a state-of-the-art teaching hospital and federally funded spaces designed to enhance the nation’s response to a host of different hazards.
Munroe-Meyer moved to a $91 million new home last year in Aksarben Village near 69th and Pine Streets. The institute provides a variety of services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as to those with behavioral and learning disorders such as autism.
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The demolition proposal garnered no opposition from regents. NU President Ted Carter noted that the approximately $7 million cost of demolishing the complex and clearing the site would be covered entirely by philanthropic dollars. The work would be slated for completion next spring, depending on weather.
While university officials have stressed that much work remains before Project NExT could become reality, Dr. Jeffrey Gold, UNMC’s chancellor, said recently that the demolition and two other initiatives signal that the university is shovel-ready and prepared to move ahead.
One of the other steps is the Saddle Creek Campus Public Improvements Project, which will launch improvements to roadways, utilities and other infrastructure for the planned expansion of UNMC’s campus west of Saddle Creek Road. The regents also approved that project Friday.
Carter said the $18 million cost of the project would be covered by the City of Omaha. Construction is expected to start in September and wrap up in August 2025.
UNMC officials have been moving ahead on plans to create an “innovation hub” and a new administrative tower west of Saddle Creek. The tower, to be situated on the southwest corner of Saddle Creek Road and Farnam Street, is slated to begin rising this year. Not only will the tower allow the university to consolidate administrative offices that are scattered across campus, it also would be closely tied to Project NExT.
The $18 million for roads and utilities is part of the $93 million the city has pledged over the next decade to support the Saddle Creek expansion and Project NExT.
Gold said a parking structure proposed for the area and other projects tied to NExT are separate from the road and utility work.
Meanwhile, final relocations from the former Munroe-Meyer complex will be completed this spring, leaving the facility empty. The complex consists of four attached structures built in the late 1950s that previously housed Munroe-Meyer, the Hattie B. Munroe Home and J.P. Lord School, which relocated in 2018.
University officials recommended the complex be demolished because it has among the highest utility consumption on campus and contains asbestos.
The site’s proximity to the cancer center, research towers and other facilities “provides an opportunity for a large-scale replacement building connected to the core of campus,” according to the regents’ documents.
Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of February 2022
Omaha Duchesne's Lia Murray, left, hugs Omaha Marian's Katy Foley after Murray won the 100 Yard Backstroke during the finals of Nebraska state swimming at the UNL Natatorium on Saturday. Foley came in 2nd.
From left: Papillion-La Vista/Papillion-La Vista South's Teresa Cavanaugh, Gracie Cunningham, and Olivia Dendinger cheer with Elizabeth Ford (in water) after the 200 Yard Medley Relay during the finals of Nebraska state swimming at the UNL Natatorium on Saturday.
Millard North's Kalvin Hahn swims the 500 Yard Freestyle during the finals of Nebraska state swimming at the UNL Natatorium on Saturday.
Elkhorn/Elkhorn South/Elkhorn North head coach Chris Jenson cheers on his swimmer, Mattt Uehling, middle, during the 500 yard freestyle in the NSAA boys state swimming championship prelims in Lincoln on Friday.
Omaha Marian's Josie Hood kicks off the 400 yard freestyle relay in the NSAA girls state swimming championship prelims in Lincoln on Friday.
Gibbon's Jose Escandon wrestles Central City's Cole Kunz during their Class C 120 pound semifinal match at CHI Health Center on Friday.
Amherst's Taleah Thomas (left) wrestles Platteview's Kaitlyn Jeffrey during their 120 pound match at CHI Health Center on Friday.
Columbus Lakeview's Owen Bargen celebrates after defeating Wayne's Ashton Munsell in their 138 pound consolation match at CHI Health Center on Friday.
Omaha Central's Angelean Rose celebrates with her coach after winning her 145 pound semifinal match at CHI Health Center on Friday.
Millard West's Noah Blair celebrates with his coach after winning his Class A 182 pound semifinal match at CHI Health Center on Friday.
Central City's Cole Kunz wrestles Gibbon's Jose Escandon during their Class C 120 pound semifinal match at CHI Health Center on Friday.
Nate Germonprez, a junior, poses for a portrait at Omaha Westside pool on Tuesday.
David City Aquinas Head Coach Roy Emory watches Tekamah-Herman's Logan Burt, left, and David City Aquinas's Christopher Nickolite, wrestle during a Class C 152-pound finals match of state wrestling on Saturday.
Norfolk's Lesly Rodriguez is introduced before her match with Amherst's Reagen Gallaway 138 -pound finals match of state wrestling on Saturday.
South Sioux City's Yohaly Quinones reacts to winning the during the 152-pound finals match over McCook's Makayla Pate at state wrestling on Saturday.
Fillmore Central's Alexander Schademann celebrates his victory over Raymond Central's Logan Bryce during a Class C 132-pound finals match of state wrestling on Saturday.
Central City's Drew Garfield jumps into the arm of coach and father Darin Garfield after defeating Valentine's William Sprenger during a Class C 113-pound finals match of state wrestling on Saturday.
Millard South's Christian Nash has cuts on his lips after winning his first match in the 220-pound weight class on the first day of the NSAA state wrestling championship in Omaha on Thursday.
Crofton/Bloomfield's Hudson Barger, left, and Syracuse's Jace Goebel wrestle during the Class C 120 pound match on the first day of state wrestling on Thursday.
Volunteers serve a meal for people experiencing homelessness as a van from the Open Door Mission drops off people outside the W. Dale Clark Library in downtown Omaha earlier this month. The group serves a meal every Wednesday outside the library, which is scheduled to be relocated to make way for Mutual of Omaha's new headquarters.
Sonny, one of two Elephant calves born in January at the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium made his public debut on Monday.
Kiki caresses her calf, Eugenia, at the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium on Monday.
Ellis McClintick poses for a portrait next to a photo of him from World War II on Monday. McClintick will turn 100 soon.
Diana Cervantes embodies the spirit of these pioneering girls wrestlers. “When we set our mind to it, we’re going to get that job done.”
Nebraska's Trey McGowens attempts a steal against Minnesota's Payton Willis at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Wednesday.
West Point-Beemer 120-pound wrestler Diana Cervantes grew up around the sport, wrestling with her sister on the edge of the mat while her older brother competed. Now, the future Marine wants to help bring her school a state team championship. "We don't have a single banner of any sport," she said. "We're fighting for that."
Janna Ramos, a Bennington junior, warms up in a hallway before a match in the Weeping Water girls only wrestling invite at Weeping Water High School on Saturday, January 22, 2022.
Johnson County Central 103-pounder Jocelyn Prado, left, has the advantage over Schuyler sophomore Yessica Garcia at last month's Weeping Water invitational. Prado later qualified for next weekend's state meet.
Upendra Chalise didn’t need gloves while skating at the University of Nebraska Medical Center ice rink on Monday, when temperatures reached into the 50s. Several more days of warm weather are forecast.
Nebraska's Lat Mayen (right) blocks Northwestern's Elyjah Williams during their game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Saturday.
Nebraska's Alonzo Verge Jr. (right) battles Northwestern's Boo Buie for the ball during their game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Saturday.
Nebraska's Alonzo Verge Jr. (right) battles Northwestern's Elijah Williams for the ball during their game at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Saturday.
Nebraska's Jaz Shelley (second from left) and Bella Cravens (right) battle Rutgers' Osh Brown (left) and Jailyn Mason for the ball during their game on Tuesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Nebraska's Allison Weidner (left) battles Rutgers' Sayawni Lassiter for the ball during their game on Tuesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Nebraska's Isabelle Bourne (center) tries to get past Rutgers' defense during their game on Tuesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Dave Brezack takes loaves of challah bread out of the oven at the Bagel Bin on Friday.
Dave Brezack braids a loaf of challah bread he is making at the Bagel Bin on Friday. The restaurant's challah will have a role in the Broadway tour of “Fiddler on the Roof" in Omaha.
Matthew Shrader with some glass pieces he created for Lauritzen Garden's latest exhibit, "Wonders Under Glass."
Rich Ryan walks toward a piece called "3-D Anatomy of a Flower" at Lauritzen Garden.
Stephanie Meadows wears a necklace with the birthstones of all her children, including her daughter Isabella Santiago on Wednesday. Meadows received the necklace as a Christmas gift. Isabella was killed in a shooting Dec. 22.
From left, Spencer Shireman, Mike Homa and Cooper Wilson pose for a portrait in a warehouse at Commerce Park, which is owned by R&R Realty Group. R&R is nearing completion of a fourth warehouse at Commerce Park.
julie.anderson@owh.com, 402-444-1066, twitter.com/julieanderson41
Julie Anderson
Julie Anderson is a medical reporter for The World-Herald. She covers health care and health care trends and developments, including hospitals, research and treatments. Follow her on Twitter @JulieAnderson41. Phone: 402-444-1066.
