Liberty Campus breaks ground on Phase 1
A former veterans home is getting a second life and will soon be transformed into affordable housing.
By News Channel NebraskaGRAND ISLAND, Neb.-- A former veterans home is getting a second life and will soon be transformed into affordable housing.
The Grand Island Liberty Campus held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday evening for phase one in the redevelopment process of the former Grand Island Veterans home.
Executive Vice president of Real Estate Development at White Lotus Group Drew Sova said it’s been a process.
“It’s been a path with challenges, you know, covid hit, construction materials cost rose very, very quickly in that timeframe," said Sova. When you’re talking about affordable housing you just you’re a little bit limited in terms of your budget and what you’re trying to do.”
Between the Anderson and Pershing buildings, 46 affordable housing units with amenities, space for veterans and seniors preferred will be constructed.
White Lotus Group partnered with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development on home funds. Since it was designated as a national historic landmark, it allows them to utilize historic tax credits.
“I think that’s really exciting because it forces us to maintain the characteristics of the campus. We get to see the upside of that as well we bring in partners that will utilize those historic tax credits, but for us it kind of confines us to what we want to do and can do," said Sova. "That’s why when we talk about the overall development we’re talking about ultimately mixed used because on a few buildings, they’re very well tailored for office space.”
The project for now will have at least two more phases. The total cost for phase one is about $13 million.
Sova said this will benefit the Grand Island community.
“ You can never, at least as of now you can’t have enough housing and you know when that housing can have the affordability aspect to it all the better,” said Sova.
Construction has been going on for two months and their goal is for the Anderson building to be completed by the end of the year and Pershing for March of 2025.
“White Lotus and Health foundation of Omaha ink. I think, both very excited to be part of the Grand Island community now. We know this is step one but we feel quite a bit of responsibility to make sure and do this campus right,” said Sova.