Regents approve $2.19 billion Project Health IDR and contracting agreement to expand clinical and research capacity

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents voted April 11 to approve Intermediate Design Report (IDR) No. 1 and to authorize an Integrated Project Delivery Agreement for Project Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), a multi‑phased initiative the board says will expand clinical research capacity and health‑profession education across the state.

Board materials describe Project Health as a statewide facility program intended to increase clinical research opportunities and health‑care training, with an overall program statement budget of $2,191,000,000. The IDR approved April 11 authorizes enabling work including demolition, storm‑water and drainage preparation, site excavation and preconstruction activities for heavy building components.

University leaders told the board the project remains on schedule and within the previously approved program budget. President Jeff Gold and UNMC leadership framed the project as a state‑wide resource intended to increase clinical trial enrollment and clinical training capacity; they noted roughly 30–40% of the facility program would be dedicated to education and clinical research and highlighted examples — including improved access to advanced treatments through clinical trials for patients across Nebraska.

During the board discussion a regent and student regent each voiced support, saying the project will improve student clinical training and address provider shortages in rural areas. The board received a recommendation from the Business and Finance Committee and then conducted a roll call; the transcript records that one regent abstained from the vote. The motion carried.

The board also approved the Integrated Project Delivery Agreement, described in board packets as superseding the earlier tri‑party interim agreement and formalizing the contract relationships among owner, architect and contractor as the project moves into major construction phases. Board materials and discussion indicate the immediate action funds enabling work but do not change the total program budget previously approved by the board.

Regents directed staff to continue project oversight and to return to the board with subsequent IDR submissions as Project Health proceeds through design and construction phases.