Groundbreaking occurs in front of the Pershing Building for the Grand Island Liberty Campus, located at the site of the former Nebraska Veterans Home. The Pershing Building is in the background, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND – The first step in renovating the former Nebraska Veterans Home occurred Sept. 19 with the groundbreaking for the Grand Island Liberty Campus, hosted by the White Lotus Group.
White Lotus Group is a real estate development company located in Omaha. In the first phase of the project, space in the Anderson and Pershing Buildings will be converted into 46 affordable housing units that will be specifically designated for seniors and veterans. The housing units will be called the Residences at Liberty Campus. The Andserson and Pershing Buildings are located toward the west edge of the former Nebraska Veterans Home site.
Four people spoke in front of the Pershing Building, where bunting was draped over railing, before the ceremonial groundbreaking occurred: Drew Sova, Executive Vice President of Real Estate Development for White Lotus Group; Gov. Jim Pillen; Mayor Roger Steele; and Mark Moravec of Chief Construction.
Sova noted that the Nebraska Veterans Home was started in Grand Island in April 1887 when land was purchased for $25,600, located three miles north of the city limits.
Sova said that the project will create sustainable housing while honoring the past. He acknowledged contributions from entities including the City of Grand Island, the Hall County Board of Commissioners, NIFA, and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.
The project is being completed through collaborative efforts of a group involving American National Bank, Midwest Housing Equity Group, Chief Construction, and other partners. DLR Group is the architect. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“This is more than just a place to live,” Sova said.
Gov. Pillen said he gets goosebumps when he thinks about how many people have been served at the former Nebraska Veterans Home campus. He is glad “that it can be brought back to life.”
“What we’re doing here today is having an impact on the next seven generations,” Pillen said.
Steele said that the city learned 11 years ago that the Nebraska Veterans Home would be moved to Kearney. He said that the campus comprises 280,000 square feet of buildings.
Veterans moved from Grand Island to Kearney in 2019. The property was later transferred to White Lotus Group for ownership.
“Eleven years ago we were handed a decision that caused hurt and disappointment,” Steele said. “We are breathing new life into this campus.”
Steele said he wanted to thank the people of Grand Island for their patience and understanding.
Mark Moravec with Chief Construction said that 17 housing units will be located in the Anderson Building, and 29 housing units will be located in the Pershing Building.
“This is an historical preservation project,” he said.
He said that work on the Anderson Building will be completed by the first of the year, and work on the Pershing Building will be completed by mid-March.
According to a one-page flyer available at the groundbreaking ceremony, the site will have in-building laundry facilities, a community room featuring a balcony with campus views, Wi-Fi, a fitness room, a community produce garden, green space, and a courtyard.
There will be one-and two-bedroom apartment options. Each unit will be furnished with a refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, range, and oven. The living area will feature easy-clean laminate flooring. The bathrooms will be new. There will be designated work spaces. Each unit will have wi-fi. The air conditioning systems will be smart-controlled.
The site is located at 2300 W. Capital Ave. More information is available at www.LibertyCampusResidences.com.
Mayor Roger Steele spoke before the groundbreaking for the Grand Island Liberty Campus, located at the site of the former Nebraska Veterans Home, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
Gov. Jim Pillen spoke Sept. 19 before the groundbreaking for the Grand Island Liberty Campus, located at the site of the former Nebraska Veterans Home, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
The Pershing Building on the Grand Island Liberty Campus is one of two buildings at the Grand Island Liberty Campus that will house space renovated into apartments for veterans and seniors, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
