EDGE District: UNMC’s newest development to foster research, startups alongside retail, living spaces
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - The University of Nebraska Medical Center shared the vision for its newest development area Thursday, starting with the name: the EDGE District.
The name is an acronym for explore, develop, grow, and engage. Within the new development, UNMC is hoping to foster research and entrepreneurship to encourage startups and even expedite their progress. It’s also expected to bring billions into the local economy.
UNMC intends for the district, sitting on a 30-acre plot across the street from the main medical campus, to grow its research capabilities, foster and even expedite innovation and investment, support and mentor business growth, and promote collaboration through social spaces.
“You’re going to have new businesses spring up that were not here before,“ said Dele Davies, UNMC’s interim chancellor. “...We are going to have some pop-up buildings that are going to spring up around here — they are already being built. Those units will now have places where they can go for dinner, lunch, and entertainment.”
Dr. Jeffrey Gold, the new president of the University of Nebraska system, said the latest additions will keep UNMC competitive.
“EDGE District will not only be a place where innovation and discovery take place, it also will provide infrastructure so that we’re able to take those developments to market right here, instead of losing start-up companies to the coasts or other locations," he said. “EDGE is not just a local or regional asset but a significant player on the global stage, poised to lead in health care transformation.”
Located in the 1906 Omaha Steel Casting industrial tract, the 170,000-square-foot Catalyst building will house the UNMC Innovation Hub as well as 130,000 square feet for businesses including a food hall, taproom, and restaurants. The plans bring the EDGE slogan into focus: “Where innovation meets lifestyle.”
The Catalyst building is expected to begin hosting events soon with plans to fully open in early 2025.
Meanwhile, the Campus Operations and Research Excellence building, known as CORE, will have an incubator lab offering shared equipment and office areas with startups in mind.
The development will also include a 750-stall parking garage, with plans to wrap the structure with dining, retail, residence, and greenspace spaces. While the city would own the garage, plans for other parts of the building would need to be approved by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.
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