Architectural firm to begin plans for Central Nebraska Veterans Home

LINCOLN The firm selected in January to provide architectural services for the new Central Nebraska Veterans Home in Kearney is set to begin work, according to a press release from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

The state of Nebraska signed the contract this week with Wilkins Hinrichs Stober Architects of Kearney as the lead firm for the project. The Kearney firm won a competitive bidding process to design the $121 million facility.

According to John Hilgert, director of DHHSs Division of Veterans Homes, it is prudent to complete the next elements of the application to demonstrate both its readiness for federal participation and to ensure a deliberate and thoughtful design.

The Kearney project was not funded in 2013, when Gov. Dave Heineman selected Kearney for the facility. However, the Kearney project ranks 22nd on a list in which the 21 projects ahead of it received either full or partial funding.

The state of Nebraska has committed $47 million, the city of Kearney has pledged $10.1 million, and the federal government is being asked to fund the remainder, about $65 million.

"It is very important to start the design work necessary to complete the next step in the grant process," Hilgert said. "It has become even more obvious and apparent that federal funding will be forthcoming. When funding is granted Nebraska will be ready," Hilgert said.

When the selection of Wilkins Hinrichs Stober Architects was announced in January, Hilgert said the firm was uniquely qualified for the project, with experience in the planning and design of more than 100 senior care projects, including facilities specializing in independent and assisted living, skilled nursing care and memory care.

South-central Nebaska projects include the Grand Island Good Samaritan Village and the Holdrege Christian Homes Assisted and Independent Living facility.

In addition, Wilkins Hinrichs Stober Architects has experience with the institutional and commercial food service industry and the Kearney public school system and several projects for Central Community Colleges Hastings campus.

"As I said in January, with their 35 years of experience in planning, designing and developing related projects, Im confident the leadership of Wilkins Hinrichs Stober Architects will result in an outstanding new home that will make Nebraska veterans proud," Hilgert said.

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Architectural firm to begin plans for Central Nebraska Veterans Home