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Board authorizes Celich residential and dining redevelopment at UNL, setting phased construction through 2032
Summary
Regents approved the program statement for the Celich redevelopment at UNL: a multi-phase project totaling about 522,000 gross sq ft, eliminating about $85 million in deferred maintenance, with phase-one (approx. 800 beds and a dining center) targeted for fall 2030 and phase-two (approx. 900 beds) for fall 2032.
The Board of Regents on June 18 approved the program statement to redevelop the Celich residential quad and dining facilities at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, authorizing design and contractor selection work to support an intermediate design review in June 2027.
The board'record says the redevelopment will replace multiple outdated buildings built in the 1950s and will ultimately include approximately 522,000 gross square feet of new housing, dining and student support space. The work is planned in two phases: phase one is expected to deliver roughly 800 beds and a new dining center by fall 2030; phase two would add about 900 beds and complete the redevelopment by fall 2032. Administrators said the project will address an estimated $85 million in deferred maintenance and modernize student housing as a recruitment and retention tool.
Chancellor Ankerson and other campus leaders emphasized the project's role in improving student experience, retention and recruitment, and said the redevelopment would be financed with auxiliary reserves (the administration cited approximately $40 million available) and bond financing repaid over a multi-decade period tied to occupancy revenues.
Regents approved the program statement by roll-call vote after questions about the source of funds and the timing of design reviews. Board members framed the project as a non-state-funded auxiliary investment intended to preserve tuition and taxpayer-funded operating priorities while addressing urgent facility needs.
Next steps: Design, cost estimation and contractor selection will proceed to deliver an intermediate design review to the board in June 2027, with additional approvals required before construction financing is finalized.
