The University of Nebraska Medical Center selected Koelbel & Company and GreenSlate Development for its renovation and redevelopment project of the former Omaha Steel Works property.

The project includes the redevelopment of two existing structures on the west side of Saddle Creek Road near Farnam Street into a mixed-use innovation technology campus in the first part of UNMC’s plan to renovate the historic industrial property. In a press release, UNMC calls it an innovation hub where researchers can build companies to turn ideas into products that help improve health and health care.

“As UNMC moves forward and continues to grow in its national and international role as a health care leader, this development will play an important role,” UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold said in a statement. “We will create a space that both advances UNMC’s mission and revitalizes an area in a way that will benefit our neighbors and the City of Omaha.” The $45 million, 140,000-square-foot

multiuse project is just one part of the innovation hub concept. It will include a food hall and market, event center and collaborative office space that draws on Denver-developer Koelbel’s experience in designing health care spaces. GreenSlate and The Lund Company offer experience in the Omaha market. Lund will lead all property management efforts.

“Redevelopment of these structures and the Saddle Creek site will be one of the most unique and significant infill projects in the history of Omaha,” said Jay Lund of GreenSlate Development. “This is a natural continuation of the campus and UNMC’s continued reinvestment in midtown Omaha.”

Design work will begin immediately, with the goal of breaking ground by the end of 2021.

“As the first project in the new innovation hub, the multiuse building is a fine example of our vision for the site,” said Michael Dixon, CEO of UNeMed, UNMC’s technology transfer office. “The new, three-story structure will combine workplace flexibility with connectivity that will support collaboration, in an atmosphere that encourages collegiality, sustainability and wellness.”

 The two structures on the former Omaha Steel Works development site played a significant historical role in World War II, as well as Omaha’s industrial growth. Historic preservation is a major priority as the project moves forward, said Doug Ewald, vice chancellor for business, finance and business development at UNMC and the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

 “At this site, where Omaha contributed so much to the war effort during World War II, we will strive to recognize the historical significance,” Ewald said. “At the same time, this effort – beginning with this current building project – will not only provide future campus growth space, but will reinvigorate the area and spark future development.”

UNMC’s Innovation Hub will house such entities as UNeMed; UNeTech, which coordinates business startups from UNMC and UNO research; UNeHealth, UNMC’s contracting and fiscal arm for industry-funded clinical trials; and the Nebraska Business Development Center.

Koelbel recently completed an innovative health care center in Denver called the Catalyst Healthcare Tech Innovation building, which showcased its ability to create what the developers call an “industry integrator,” which brings together relevant stakeholders from across the health, wellness and health care industries.

 “Koelbel is thrilled to bring its Catalyst concept to Omaha, which has proven to be tremendously successful in Denver, and honored to be doing so in partnership with GreenSlate, The Lund Company and UNMC,” said Buz Koebel, president of Koelbel & Company. “This is the first development outside of Colorado for Koelbel after nearly 70 years in business, and we believe Omaha is the ideal market for expansion of this concept and our development operations.”

Developers will work with the Verdis Group to maximize the potential of the historic building to meet UNMC’s sustainability goals. There will also be a pedestrian connection across Saddle Creek Road to move pedestrians safely across the high-traffic area.

The City of Omaha agreed to develop roads and utility infrastructure and build a parking garage to support the development.