UNMC has received the Neighborhood Revitalization Award from Omaha By Design for work on the EDGE District.
UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, took the stage at Omaha By Design’s Laurels Awards ceremony on Oct. 30 to thank the organization for the honor, which recognizes an individual, group, organization or business that has worked to preserve or enhance a neighborhood.
“This is not an individual award,” Dr. Davies told the audience after thanking Omaha By Design. “This is a manifestation of a partnership between UNMC, GreenSlate Development, Koelbel and Co. and the City of Omaha.
“We have been working together to envision a district, comprised of a 30-acre parcel of land, that will help to revitalize not just downtown Omaha but will create an ecosystem where entrepreneurs, inventors, angel and later stage investors and other community partners come together to create startup companies that focus on health care and related products.”
He said: “In addition, the district will be a vibrant place for Omahans to live, dine and work. That is not something that can be done alone. And it is something we see transforming Omaha.”
Dr. Davies was joined onstage by Michael Dixon, PhD, CEO of UNeMed, the technology transfer arm of UNMC and the University of Nebraska at Omaha; and Amy Thompson, UNMC director of campus development.
Omaha By Design’s mission is to contribute to a thriving metro by convening, engaging, educating and advocating for excellence in people-centered urban design and policy.