Southeast Community College Approves $48M Residence Hall
The new facility will add 248 units to the Lincoln campus, addressing a persistent student housing waiting list.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Construction
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The Southeast Community College Board of Governors has approved a $48.4 million contract for a new 128,000-square-foot residence and dining hall on its Lincoln campus. The project, which addresses a housing waitlist of 100 students, is scheduled to open for the 2028-29 school year.
Why it matters
This project signals a shift for the institution away from its status as a commuter-only campus to one requiring onsite infrastructure. The expansion responds to current demand pressures, as the existing 2024 hall is already at capacity.
The $48.4 million project is backed by $36.9 million in revenue bonds, alongside student fees and general capital funds. This follows the 2024 completion of Woodhaven Hall, which cost $26.5 million to house 246 students.
The players
Southeast Community College
A higher education institution in Nebraska currently expanding its residential campus infrastructure.
Boyd Jones Construction
A construction firm serving as the contractor for the new residence hall project.
BVH Architecture
The architectural firm responsible for the facility design, including living units and dining space.
The details
The facility will include 248 living units and a 300-seat dining hall, designed to accommodate an growing residential student body. Boyd Jones Construction will serve as the contractor, while BVH Architecture designed the neighborhood-style layout. Financing for the project leverages a mix of revenue bonds, student fees, and general capital improvement funds.
Timeline
October 2026: Board of Governors approved the construction contract.
November 10, 2026: Groundbreaking ceremony scheduled.
2028-29 school year: Facility expected to open to students.
Market Landscape
This project follows the pattern established by the 2024 opening of Woodhaven Hall, which provides the current baseline for campus housing capacity. The scale of this new investment confirms the institution's move to address structural housing shortages.
Local contractors and suppliers should monitor the project timeline as it moves through the construction phase toward its 2028-29 opening. Operators should also track whether this campus shift influences local demand for off-campus student housing in the surrounding area.
The takeaway
The college is effectively scaling its physical footprint to mitigate a persistent housing deficit that leaves 100 students on waiting lists. Operators should monitor the project's adherence to the guaranteed maximum price of $48.4 million as a benchmark for local labor and material costs.
What happens next
The groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility is scheduled for November 10, 2026.
Further reading
For more on large-scale infrastructure projects in the area, visit Construction.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Omaha World-Herald.
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