The University of Nebraska plans to develop Nebraska Innovation Park on a 251-acre site adjacent to its city campus. The Park will provide space for public-private partnerships which will allow private businesses to access faculty research in the development of marketable innovations.
The park will be modeled after the Centennial Campus at North Carolina State University, and will include public and private technology development space to encourage private entrepreneurs to work with UNL research faculty. The concept plan includes a mix of existing and new construction that is a mix of public and private research, retail, parking, multi-purpose buildings, greenhouse and gardens, recreation and gathering areas.
The concept plan, developed by Omaha consultant RDG, will be built as demand increases, eventually providing up to 1.6 million gross square feet. The innovation park is intended to replicate the success of the University's Beadle Center on a larger scale for the benefit of Nebraska's economy.
Innovation Park will expand opportunities for university faculty and students to tackle complex problems and collaborate with private sector companies to develop new technologies and processes for commercialization.