Construction imminent on new UNMC ‘front door’

Construction is imminent on UNMC’s new “front door” at the intersection of 42nd and Leavenworth streets.

The former Charlie Graham building was demolished to make way for the new campus entryway.

The northwest corner will be a greenspace and walkway, featuring 18 columns created by Omaha artist Jun Kaneko. A winding sidewalk, with benches to rest, or to enjoy the view, will cut through the corner. The area will be open to the public, and pedestrians are invited to use this path, said Andrew Balus, director, project management, facilities management and planning.

The space will include a variety of types of trees, including pine — so there will be some green visible all year long.

Across 42nd Street, on the northeast corner, in front of the Dr. Edwin G. & Dorothy Balbach Davis Global Center, will be two monument signs. These will be designed to be seen by traffic approaching campus from the east, west and south, “to create more of an entry point to campus,” Balus said.

These signs will be lit at night, and will be visible as visitors drive by or into campus.

Landscaping and design will be congruent with the other corner.

The goal is to align completion of the project with the grand opening of the Davis Global Center, Balus said.