Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson has been instrumental in procuring $2 million in federal funding through the Omnibus appropriations bill for the Durham Research Center now under construction at UNMC.
“This is wonderful news,” said UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D. “The Durham Research Center will be a world-class facility and is vital to the future of the Medical Center and for sustaining the research momentum we have created.
“This is a great example of how government can work with private donors to create a public/private partnership to advance strategic objectives for UNMC. We are extremely grateful for the work of Sen. Nelson and his staff in helping make this important funding a reality. The entire Nebraska delegation has been very instrumental in helping the university advance its mission.”
Funded projects
The Omnibus appropriations bill is a massive spending bill which combines incomplete appropriations bills. The bill also included $500,000 for UNMC’s College of Nursing to provide distance-learning facilities to train nurses in rural areas; and $1 million for Boys Town National Research Hospital to establish the National Learning and Technology Center for Childhood Deafness and Vision Disorders.
“The final appropriations bill will provide needed resources to important Nebraska projects,” Sen. Nelson said. “This funding will allow Boys Town and UNMC to better serve the people of our state and improve the health and welfare of families in our communities.”
The research enterprise
The Durham Research Center is located on the west end of the UNMC campus on 45th Street between Dewey Avenue and Emile Street. Beyond the $2 million in federal funding, the $77 million facility is being built entirely with private donations. No state tax dollars are being used in the construction. The building is named after Charles (Chuck) Durham, a leading Omaha philanthropist who has been a longtime supporter of UNMC.
The 10-level, 289,000 gross-square-foot building will enable UNMC to enhance its research in areas such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurosciences, transplantation biology, genetics and ophthalmology.
The research center will feature 116 research laboratories, a 319-seat auditorium, three classrooms and 12 conference/seminar rooms. The main level will include the auditorium, classrooms, computer laboratory and public spaces. The research areas will feature state-of-the-art laboratories and associated support services.
Recognizing the donors
When completed, the research facility will create a research mall on the west end of the UNMC campus. Various floors and areas of the building will be named in honor of the primary donors including: the Peter Kiewit Foundation Transplant Biology Research Laboratories, Scott Education Center (Suzanne and Walter Scott Jr.), the Scott Neuroscience Research Laboratories (Ruth and Bill Scott), Cardiovascular Research Laboratories, Truhlsen Eye Research Laboratories, Yanney Seminar Center, and the Criss Foundation Seminar Center.
HDR Architecture Inc. of Omaha is the architect on the project, while Hawkins Construction Co. of Omaha is the contractor.