UNMC moves forward with preparation for new building

Demolition crews remove apartment buildings along Emile Street.

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents Friday approved the initiation of site leveling and foundation pilings for the Center for Health Science Education (CHSE) building at UNMC so that the medical center can stay on track for the building to open in the fall of 2008.

No state tax dollars will be used for construction of the building. The CHSE will be the home to the College of Medicine. The relocations of the faculty and staff from buildings on the proposed site of the CHSE are now complete. The demolition of existing buildings is in progress and will be completed by the end of the year.

Construction of the new building is proposed in two phases to be bid separately. The first phase will include site leveling and placement of cast-in-place concrete pilings to form the deep foundation of the building. The second phase of construction will complete the CHSE building.

Don Leuenberger, vice chancellor for business and finance at UNMC, said: “Construction of the foundation pilings during the winter will reduce the risk of construction delays resulting from spring rains. It also will provide an approximate three-month head start, thereby increasing the potential for the building to be in service for the start of the fall 2008 semester.”

Site leveling and foundation piling costs are estimated at $1.2 million and private funds are in-hand to fund this phase.