Campus construction brings opportunities

The buildings at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln continue to expand.

By the end of the 2011, several construction projects will be completed, said Ted Weidner, assistant vice chancellor for facilities management and planning.  

"With the new buildings come new excitement for student life," he said.

With construction finishing up, researchers at the university will be able to conduct more studies and make new discoveries, Weidner said.

This includes the $13.8 million Nanoscience Metrology Facility at the north end of Jorgensen Hall.  

Mike Zeleny, assistant vice chancellor for research, said the university was very excited for the completion of the Nanoscience Technology Center.

"I think it will provide more and better research and testing facilities," he said, "and will let them do what they do best and make new discoveries."

Zeleny said the university has done a lot of planning on how to use the facilities.

"I think (the researchers are) very eager and excited to be working in these facilities," he said.

Other building construction finishing up includes the $18.7 million Hendricks Training Complex on the south side of the Bob Devaney Sports Center and a $4.75 million indoor practice facility for baseball and softball north of Haymarket Park.

The buildings would not have been possible without support from other sources.

Weidner said a lot of the construction has been funded by grants or donors.

This is promising as a research institution or as an investment, he said.

The university is currently expanding the East Stadium of Memorial Stadium to add new seating, skyboxes, façade and space for the Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior, a new research facility that will explore how the brain and human behavior are connected.

In addition, there will be construction because of the installation of two roundabouts northwest of the stadium, limiting access to Stadium Drive and Salt Creek Roadway. The construction will be stopped during football season and will resume after Thanksgiving.

The Lied Center is also expanding to include the Lied Commons, which will provide small event space.