Discussions begin on shared UHC, UNMC facility

UNL and the University of Nebraska Medical Center have started discussions on building a shared facility for the University Health Center (pictured) and UNMC College of Nursing.
UNL and the University of Nebraska Medical Center have started discussions on building a shared facility for the University Health Center (pictured) and UNMC College of Nursing.

University officials are considering the construction of a shared UNL facility that would house the University Health Center and the Lincoln division of the University of Nebraska Medical Center's College of Nursing.

Chancellors Harvey Perlman (UNL) and Jeffrey Gold (UNMC) emphasized that the shared facility discussion is preliminary.

The project would benefit both universities, as UNL has been working to replace the outdated health center facility and UNMC is developing plans for a new Lincoln building. It could also expand collaboration between the two University of Nebraska campuses, create more shared student experiences, increase educational opportunities, improve campus health options, and allow for cost savings.

Cost of the proposed facility has not yet been estimated. A possible site has been identified immediately south of UNL's Beadle Center, just west of Antelope Parkway near 19th and Vine streets.

The cost for the College of Nursing portion of the building will remain as originally planned at $17.5 million, $12 million provided by the Nebraska Legislature and $5.5 million from donations.

If constructed, occupancy would come as early as summer 2017.