The University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) is bringing a long-discussed vision to life. The University Village project aims to create a vibrant destination featuring residential, retail, and office spaces that benefit the community, visitors, and the university. Olsson has played a significant role in the rapid progress of the development.

Olsson's contributions include site master planning, landscape architecture, and civil engineering for projects like the Village Flats student housing complex. In 2023, Olsson acquired Nielsen-Baumert, an engineering firm which also provided structural engineering services for the Village Flats. 

The impact of University Village on the community, region, and state is expected to be substantial. It will create an urbanized neighborhood that attracts residents, businesses, and students, serving as a regional hub and fostering connectivity.  

Olsson helped design the $15.6 million Regional Engagement and Alumni Center, which will serve as the centerpiece of University Village. The state-of-the-art facility will house the UNK Alumni Association, the UNK Foundation, and a full-service cancer center through a partnership with Nebraska Medicine.  

The new Ernest Grundy Tennis Center at University Village opened in 2022. The facility features six indoor courts and year-round public access, with Olsson providing civil engineering, construction observation, and special inspection services.  

The public-private partnership between UNK, developers, and the city continues to drive the project forward, with the Regional Engagement and Alumni Center scheduled to open in 2023. Olsson will relocate its Kearney office to the regional engagement center once construction is complete. 

To learn more about Olsson’s involvement in the project, visit here.