CPNRD’s New Office & Education Center

Office & Education Center Scheduled for Completion August 2026

Office and Education Center at Prairie Silver Moores Flood Reduction Site

June Update: The CPNRD Board of Directors voted to reject the two bids submitted for the sale of its current office, shop facilities, and property at 215 N. Kaufman Avenue in Grand Island during its regular meeting in June. The action followed a recommendation from the Building Committee.

The District received two sealed bids for the property. The highest bid was $1,176,750, while the second bid was $785,000. During discussion, Board members noted that both bids were well below the property's appraised value before voting to reject them. The Building Committee will evaluate available options and make a recommendation to the Board on how to proceed with the sale. The property is being offered for sale "as is" and will be conveyed by warranty deed. CPNRD will retain possession until the closing date.

CPNRD staff are expected to relocate to the District's new office and education center at 9644 W. 13th Street in Wood River in August. The new facility will provide expanded office, meeting, and educational space to support the District's mission of conserving, managing, and protecting natural resources.

The Board also approved the Building Committee’s recommendations on the following:

• Change Order #2 – Shop: Approved a $10,506.00 deduction to change copper feeders to aluminum feeders for the electrical connection from the office to the shop.
• Change Order #7 – Office: Approved the addition of a dishwasher ($902.00), widening of the concrete drive to the basement ($13,727.00), and deduction for the electrical connection from the office to the shop ($3,531.00). The total change order is $592.00.
• Change Order #8 -Basement: Approved the cost to build-out approximately 4,700 square feet of the basement to create 11 offices and meeting rooms in the amount of $787,570.00.
• Internet Service Agreement: The Board approved an agreement for $237,500 with Lumen to install fiber to the new office for internet service.

Project History

In 2020, CPNRD started to explore the possibility of constructing an office and education center at the Prairie Silver Moores Flood Reduction site with potential costs and design of a new building complex reviewed. The Nebraska Natural Resources Commission approved the request to utilize the remaining $1.7 million designated for PSM through the Natural Resources Conservation Development Fund for an education center. With those funds and the projected sale of the NRD’s current facility, the Board decided to move forward to consider construction costs for future fiscal year budgets without increasing tax requirements for building purposes.

The education center will offer indoor and outdoor learning experiences, demonstrating the relationship between water, forests, grasslands and soil. The outdoor sites will provide hands-on learning opportunities that complement topics presented at the indoor learning center. These sites will feature wetlands, walking trails, windbreaks, pollinator habitats, irrigation and crop demonstrations, monitoring wells and other educational resources.

Project Timeline

2020: Barber Appraisal of Phillips, NE received $2,950 to appraise the CPNRD buildings and shops.

2021: Potential costs/design of a new building complex reviewed. An educational component with existing $1.7M available through the NRC Development Fund was pursued. The Commission approved the request to utilize the funds for an education center in October. With those funds and the projected sale of the NRD’s current facility, the Board voted to consider construction costs to future budgets without increasing tax requirements.

2022: Phases 2 and 3 architectural proposal was awarded to JEO not to exceed $225,000. Phase 2 included the schematic design to further develop the site plan, floor plan and overall building design; zoning/code requirements, site survey and geotechnical soils testing. Design drawings included: developed site plan layout, dimensioned floor plans, elevations, cross-sections and updated opinion of construction cost.  Phase 3 included design of structural, mechanical and electrical engineering systems.

2023: JEO contract ($470,425) was approved to complete construction documents and bidding and negotiation. In August, a well was drilled at the site by Downey Drilling.

2024:  The low bid from Rogge General Contractors Inc. of Lincoln was approved to build the office/education center for $13,473,000. Seven bids were received ranging from $13.47 to $15.29M. Based on the schematic design and design development, the building will be 20,000 square feet on the main level with a lower level to match. With the multi-year planning process, the NRD has funds available to begin construction, including nearly $4M expected from other sources. An Electric Power Service Agreement was approved for $166,170 with SPPD to build the necessary interconnection facilities to supply electric power and energy to the building. In September/October, Rogge General Contractors started earthwork, constructing an access road from Schauppsville Road, installing concrete stays electrical lines, and pouring concrete for basement walls. SPPD started installing electrical poles.

November 2024:  The Board approved Change Order #002 for the NRD’s new office and education center, totaling $186,150. The Change Order includes corrective work on bearing capacity soil, updated pricing for glass windows and doors, the addition of four steel beams, and the extension of 60' of concrete to Schauppsville Road. The Building Committee reviewed initial estimates to pave the remainder of 13^th Street to the building. The Board will review and consider action on the paving quotes in December.

2025: The Board approved a request to establish a $4 million line of credit with Five Points Bank of Grand Island for the office and education center, which is currently 40% complete and scheduled to be finished in February 2026. The building will include 24 offices, a large boardroom that will also function as a classroom and meeting space, and a central corridor featuring interactive educational exhibits and space for community events.