By TODD GOTTULA
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – When paint sprayers and carpet layers start showing up you know construction is in its final phases.
That’s the case right now at the new Village Flats residence hall at University of Nebraska at Kearney, where workers are eyeing the August completion date of the million project.
“A big push currently is to get the heat pump equipment running and building heated so we can keep it at the correct temperature for flooring and finishing work,” said Project Manager Michael Cremers.
In recent weeks, workers began installing toilets, sinks, fire alarms, sprinklers and cabinets in the three-story building. Carpentry and tile work in kitchen, living room and bedroom spaces has started on the third floor, and work will make its way down to the first floor as the project nears completion, said Cremers.
Crews also are finishing masonry and brick work on the exterior facade, and soon will turn their attention to finishing the parking lot, installing sidewalks and landscaping work, including the irrigation system.
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. It includes 68 one-bedroom and 31 two-bedroom units and is the first project planned for the University Village development.
Village Flats is located at 2201 University Drive, which is on the south side of U.S. Highway 30 directly south of the UNMC Health Science Education Complex. Funding for the new residence hall is from $12 million in revenue bonds and $4 million from a UNK surplus fund.
University Village is a 104-acre mixed-use development on UNK property. It will feature retail, office, academic facilities, recreation space and housing. UNK is partnering with private and business entities on the project.
Contractors will break ground this summer 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 6.
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More information on Village Flats, or to apply, go HERE
