The University of Nebraska Medical Center has been awarded $8 million in stimulus funding for major renovation of its aging Eppley Cancer Institute building. The grant is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Center for Research Resources under the provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The grant, which is one of the largest stimulus funding awards in Nebraska to date, brings the total UNMC stimulus funds to $20.2 million. About $2.7 million from Nebraska Legislative Bill 605 will supplement the renovation. The bill was passed in 2006 to allow the university to renovate older buildings in need of repair.
The project will replace antiquated, inefficient and deteriorating building systems and space in the nearly 50-year old building. The renovation will substantially improve practically every facet, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling and windows. A fire sprinkler system also will be installed. Fixed laboratory equipment will be included.
Construction is scheduled to start after bids are received in February 2011 and is scheduled to be completed in June 2012. Project design is underway now.
“UNMC is a source of pride for Nebraskans,” said U.S. Senator Ben Nelson. “It is a premier research facility not only for life saving treatments and cures, but for educating our young people, employing our citizens, and as a driving force for economic development in Nebraska. The use of federal stimulus dollars here will pay off for many years to come.
“The upgrades announced today are a perfect example of what federal stimulus dollars were meant for… to keep institutions like UNMC on the cutting edge of medical technology while creating jobs now and well into the future.”
UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., said he is grateful to Congress for providing the stimulus funding for vital projects. “In striving to achieve world-class status, UNMC needs nothing less than state-of-the-art laboratories for its scientists,” he said. “The renovations that will take place in the Eppley Institute are evidence that UNMC is committed to giving its scientists the facilities needed to conduct their life-saving work.”
The Lincoln architectural firm of Clark Enersen Partners has been chosen for the project. The construction contractor will be chosen once the bid process is completed early next year. During the design and construction renovation period, it is expected that work will be provided for about 75 people. Once the project is completed, potentially 30 or more researchers and their staff could occupy the space.
Since 1963 when the seven-story, 54,000 square-foot Eppley Cancer Institute was built, UNMC research requirements have grown and laboratory technology has changed tremendously. The institute conducts cancer and bio-defense research with 28 faculty members who currently are spread out across campus and two other University of Nebraska campuses.
The renovation will enhance the innovative work of researchers as well as facilitate more interaction and collaboration among researchers. UNMC continues to grow its basic, translational and clinical cancer research. Last year, UNMC reached its milestone goal of $100 million in extramural funding.
The UNMC research enterprise is a major economic engine for Omaha and the state, and continuing growth of research is dependent upon maintaining state-of-the-art facilities, said Tom Rosenquist, Ph.D., UNMC vice chancellor for research. “This is an excellent example of the positive impact of the stimulus package, and we are grateful for the continuing, outstanding support of Senator Nelson and his staff. “
Ken Cowan, M.D,. Ph.D., director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, said the renovation will transform the environment. “The changes will provide updated laboratories and workspace,” he said. “Ultimately, cancer research will be enhanced and expanded, which will benefit patients. We are very appreciative of Sen. Nelson’s efforts in supporting the stimulus bill and to the National Institutes of Health for approving this project.”
The Eppley Cancer Institute is part of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center since 1984, when it became one of the first NCI designated cancer research laboratories. Research conducted in the building impacts biomedical research across the nation and around the world. There are 165 cancer researchers at UNMC.
The project described was supported by Award Number C06RR020563 from the National Center for Research Resources. The content of this news release is solely the responsibility of the author and does not necessarily represent the official view of the National Center For Research Resources or the National Institutes of Health.
As the state’s only academic health science center, UNMC is on the leading edge of health care. Breakthroughs are possible because hard-working researchers, educators and clinicians are resolved to work together to fuel discovery. In 2009, UNMC’s extramural research support topped $100 million for the first time, resulting in the creation of 3,600 jobs in Nebraska. UNMC’s academic excellence is shown through its award-winning programs, and its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through its commitment to education, research, patient care and outreach, UNMC and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, have established themselves as one of the country’s leading health care centers. UNMC’s physician practice group, UNMC Physicians, includes 550 physicians in 50 specialties and subspecialties who practice primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center. For more information, go to UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.
The UNMC Eppley Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer center — a distinction held by only 65 centers in the country and the only NCI-designated center in Nebraska. The UNMC Eppley Cancer Center is also one of the founding members of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the world’s leading cancer centers. This recognition means the most current and innovative treatment options are available to cancer center patients through the integration of cutting-edge research into state-of-the-art care. Cancer center physicians and scientists work together to quickly translate discoveries made in the laboratory into innovative treatments for the patient.