Liz McCue | University Communication and Marketing
Liz McCue | University Communication and Marketing
Nebraska’s new Westbrook Music Building glows in the early evening on the corner of 10th and Q streets. The new building was made possible with $75 million in support from the Nebraska Legislature through LB384. The new Westbrook Music Building replaces the former facility of the same name, which opened in 1967.
As faculty, staff and students return to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for the fall semester, they’ll encounter new sights, evolving spaces and familiar places.
From the new Westbrook Music Building to renovations at the Nebraska Union and major work planned for Memorial Stadium, more than a dozen projects are bringing changes across the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Several have wrapped up this summer, others are underway, and more are scheduled to begin or be completed by the end of the year.
“Because of big projects wrapping up, it will be a lot less construction people see on campus than what they’ve seen the last couple of years,” said Wendy Johnson, assistant vice president for facilities planning and capital programs.
Westbrook Music Building
The construction of the new home of the Glenn Korff School of Music and occupancy by faculty and students are officially complete. Crews will be finishing up with landscaping work outside of the building.
Westbrook replaces the previous building of the same name. The 103,000-square-foot facility held its first classes during the fall 2025 semester. It holds a new performance hall, a recording studio, rehearsal spaces, classrooms, music library and offices.
Pershing Military and Naval Science Building
Pershing has undergone a number of repairs and updates, which are now complete. Projects included electrical updates, window replacement, a new heating and air conditioning system and hazardous abatement work. Crews also renovated the restrooms and replaced the elevator.
ROTC detachments moved into the building this spring but work continued with some carpeting and lighting.
Mueller Tower
Nebraska’s iconic Mueller Tower will be completed by Sept. 2. Crews removed and catalogued about 1,700 stones.
Along with replacing the exterior limestone, the project has included new steel supports for the stones, new mortar where needed throughout the structure, new screens around the top and a new door. Workers also installed a new sound system for the bell tower.
Andersen Hall
Meier Media Studios, the broadcast studio for student radio station KRNU, will be ready for the fall semester following renovations including new carpeting and acoustic tiles and other updates. Equipment will be installed and ready for broadcast when students return.
The building also has a new elevator completed in August.
Rodeo arena
A new rodeo arena will be opening near East Campus’ Animal Science Complex, and a related project to construct a new barn is kicking off. The arena project wrapped up on Aug. 7.
Sidewalks and concrete work
Phased work to repave paths west of the Nebraska Union will be completed shortly following beginning of the fall semester. Repaving will progress through multiple sections in the Canfield Administration Building and Nebraska Union area. The schedule is weather-dependent; however, all sidewalk repaving work in this area is expected to be complete by early September.
Liz McCue | University Communication and Marketing
Nebraska Union
There are several onging renovations within Nebraska Union, including an overhaul of the food court. That expansion, involving new spaces for some existing vendors and the addition of two new ones, will have a phased opening. Some vendors are expected to open in the middle of the fall 2026, with the rest expected by the end of the semester.
A new esports lounge is being built in the lower level of the Union next to the Campus Bookstore. The lounge will open by the end of September.
The Military and Veteran Student Success Center is also undergoing renovations and abatement. Work has begun and anticipated completion is spring 2027.
Bob Devaney Sports Center
Spectators for the Husker volleyball team will see new seating and a new court when they return for the 2026 volleyball season. The project also included accessibility upgrades.
Lied Center for Performing Arts
The venue is undergoing wide-ranging upgrades and renovations. Some initial interior projects including carpeting and painting will be completed in time for the Lied’s new season beginning in September. Exterior work on a new awning and the addition of a studio is underway and access will continue following the 2026-27 season. This will include accessibility and circulation improvements
Memorial Stadium
Preparation for the Big Red Rebuild at Memorial Stadium has begun, with initial major demolition work expected following the 2026 football season. The major renovation will include new entry points, wider concourses, upgraded restrooms and concessions and expanded accessibility.
Morrill Hall
The University of Nebraska State Museum will undergo the most significant renovation in its history, with major updates to its iconic Elephant Hall. Interviews with architects for the design work have begun, with construction expected to begin in the spring. The Elizabeth Dolan murals in the museum will also be conserved and digitized.
Bowlin Stadium
The home of the Husker softball team will be getting a new field and renovated locker rooms. That project began following the end of the Husker season and will be completed in time for the 2027 season.
City of Lincoln Projects
The City has undertaken the initial phases of the Downtown Corridors project. Current project information, including accessible pathways to downtown businesses and closures of roadway can be found at Project “O” Street and 10th Street Corridor. Parking on the city’s 16th Street and S Street has transitioned from parking meters to the city’s parking app or multi-space kiosks.
Share
- campus construction
- Facilities Planning and Capital Programs
