Once a pair of decaying steel plant buildings divided by an alley, a midtown Omaha site has been transformed into the Catalyst — a $97 million, 170,000-square-foot innovation hub aimed at advancing healthcare technology and drawing top talent to Nebraska.
The facility, which officially opened Wednesday, is a public-private partnership between the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), GreenSlate Development, and Denver-based Koelbel and Company. It marks the first completed project within the new EDGE District, a 30-acre redevelopment area considered UNMC’s west campus.
Developer Jay Lund, reflecting on the early stages of the transformation, recalled, “It still amazes me when I come in here.” He and co-developer Dean Koelbel led efforts to convert the former Omaha Steel Works plant — once a manufacturing giant dating back to 1906 — into a modern research and collaboration space.
The Catalyst is designed to foster what Lund describes as “serendipitous collisions” — informal interactions among academics, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals that could spark groundbreaking innovations. “Innovation dies in a corporate setting,” added Koelbel. “Here, it can breathe.”
Currently, the hub is 20% occupied with 18 tenants. Notable among them are UNeMed and UNeTech, key innovation arms of UNMC that focus on technology transfer and startup incubation. These entities, along with other Med Center affiliates, will occupy roughly a quarter of the facility, which is owned in part by the university.
State and City Support
The $97 million investment includes $29 million from the University of Nebraska and $6.3 million in tax-increment financing provided by the City of Omaha. Gov. Jim Pillen, University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold, and UNMC Interim Chancellor Dr. Dele Davies were among the dignitaries who spoke at the grand opening.
“It’s gigantic for Omaha. It’s huge for the state of Nebraska,” Pillen said, emphasizing the long-term economic and social benefits of the project.
Dr. Gold added that while UNMC continues to push the boundaries of research, a facility like Catalyst is essential to translate that research into real-world solutions. “At the end of the day, until that research improves a human life, it is really just an exercise,” he said.
A Nod to the Past, A Vision for the Future
Located at 4601 Catalyst Court, the new building retains much of the steel plant’s original character — including exposed brick, soaring ceilings, and a historic gantry crane — preserving its industrial heritage. Even the alley between the two original buildings has been enclosed and renamed the Passageway, now an airy atrium filled with collaborative seating, dining areas, and workspaces.
Tenants have access to a modern kitchen, fitness room, executive boardroom, and lounge spaces. Office sizes vary from single desks to 10,000-square-foot suites. A coffee shop and outdoor patios are open to the public, and the Big Grove Brewery taproom and restaurant is expected to open in July. The Forge, a public event hall within the facility, is also available for rent.
UNeMed CEO Michael Dixon described the environment as a team-building force. “It’s like building a team within a bigger team,” he said. His organization boasts 526 inventions, 76 license agreements, 19 startups, and over 700 patent applications in the past five years alone — achievements showcased on a trophy wall inside their Catalyst office.
EDGE District Expansion Underway
The Catalyst is the first completed project in the EDGE District — an acronym for Explore, Develop, Grow, Engage — and more developments are on the horizon.
Adjacent to the Catalyst, construction is underway on a six-story CORE building (Campus Operations and Research Excellence) that will house advanced computer and laboratory research, including oncology and drug development programs.
A 750-stall parking garage owned by the City of Omaha is also under construction to serve the growing district. Future plans include a skywalk over Saddle Creek Road to connect Catalyst directly to the main UNMC campus and a link to the planned Omaha streetcar line, which will provide direct access to downtown.
“This building is unique because of its physical attributes,” said Lund, noting how rare it is to find and preserve such industrial history. “Once you lose it, it’s gone forever.”
With the Catalyst now open and more infrastructure in the pipeline, leaders see the EDGE District as a long-term investment in innovation, health, and economic growth. As Koelbel noted, the Omaha Catalyst draws inspiration from a similar project in Denver, also led by his company.
Gov. Pillen expressed hope that the project will serve Nebraskans for generations to come. “It’s a legacy project,” he said. “This is about building a healthier, more innovative future for all.”
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