By TODD GOTTULA
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – Windows are installed, the roofing system is mostly complete and workers soon will turn their attention to finishings work inside the new Village Flats residence hall at University of Nebraska at Kearney.
The million, 130-bed project soon will be completely enclosed, as crews will begin installing aluminum framing and windows in the storefront system, which is the entryway and common spaces of the building.
Mechanical, electrical and plumbing rough ins are underway, and drywall is going up as workers prepare to paint, install cabinetry and flooring, said Project Manager Michael Cremers.
Finishing work is beginning on the third floor of the three-story building, and crews will work their way down to the second and first floors in the coming months. Exterior brickwork has started and will continue through the end of the project, which is expected for completion this summer.
Village Flats is a 130-bed apartment-style residence hall designed for upperclassmen, nontraditional university students and UNK guests that replaces the former University Heights, built in 1960 northwest of campus. Village Flats is the first project in the University Village development.
University Village is a 104-acre mixed-use development on UNK property. Estimated at between 0 million and 0 million when finished, the entire project could take between 15 to 20 years to develop. The mixed-used development will feature retail, office, academic facilities, recreation space and housing. UNK is partnering with private and business entities on the project.
VILLAGE FLATS
Address: 2201 University Drive; South side of Highway 30, directly south of Health Science Education Complex and UNK’s West Center.
Cost: $16 million; Funding for the new residence hall is from $12 million in revenue bonds and $4 million from a UNK surplus fund.
Size: Three-story structure with 99 apartments and 130 beds, including 68 one-bedroom and 31 two-bedroom units.
Construction Start: April 2017
Planned Completion: Summer 2018
Architect: Holland Basham Architects of Omaha
General Contractor: Hausmann Construction of Lincoln
Developer: Burlington Capital of Omaha
University Village: University Village is a pedestrian-oriented “walkable” community with public gathering spaces. In addition to approximately 680 residential units, projects planned for the area include a recreation complex with indoor track and tennis center, outdoor tennis courts and softball complex.
Next Project: Contractors will break ground in spring 2018 on the Early Childhood Education Center, a $6.4 million, 17,800-square-foot project. The center will have a capacity for 152 children from infant to age six.
On the Web: http://www.unk.edu/uvillage/
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Writer: Todd Gottula, Director of Communications, 308.865.8454, gottulatm@unk.edu
