The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) celebrated the groundbreaking of the Howard L. Hawks Training Center and the Maverick Park Clubhouse.

The two new facilities will bring more resources and dedicated spaces to Maverick student-athletes.

The Howard L. Hawks Training Center will connect directly to Baxter Arena by skybridge and become the new hub for UNO Athletics. The facility will bring training, strength and conditioning, sports science, sports psychology, nutrition, and academic resources together in one space for student-athletes across multiple programs.

The facility will also include new locker rooms, lounges, and study areas, along with coaches' offices, two gyms, and three hydrotherapy pools, giving athletes another recovery resource after practices and games.

"The programs now, because of facilities you are going to see tomorrow, won't look like today. It literally took decades of hard work from student-athletes, coaches, staff, university leaders, and the community. The team behind the team," said Adrian Dowell, UNO Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics. 

The $67.5 million project is entirely philanthropically supported, representing the largest 100% philanthropically supported facility in UNO's history. The Training Center is named in honor of Regent Emeritus Howard L. Hawks, who passed away in 2024, and recognizes the family's longtime support of UNO Athletics. 

"It means the world to us. It's going to house all our student-athletes and give them the resources they need," said Keenan Holdman, assistant men's basketball coach for the Mavericks. "It's going to have everything we need, and it's going to be built the right way. It means the world to our department and the city of Omaha. 

"The project is an absolute game changer," said Dowell.

For MCL Construction, the project is an opportunity to help bring UNO's vision to life and create spaces that will serve Mavericks for years to come. 

The needs of a community are constantly evolving. The construction journey to meet those needs is filled with complexity and issues people may not see coming. From concept through activation, MCL guides our partners with an innovative, tailored, clear approach. We do this because there is no better feeling than being valued for changing communities and lives for the better.

Courtnage Home for Health and Hope celebrated the opening of its new home for Collective for Hope with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Collective for Hope is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, compassionate grief support to childrent, adults, and families. The new facility will serve as a dedicated grief center, helping individuals, schools, organizations, and businesses throughout Omaha better understand and navigate the impact of grief.

"When you lose someone close to you, that sense of loss extends far beyond any sort of funeral or funeral service and cause unholiness and emotional upeaval," said Mark Jacksich, President of the Board of Directors.

Designed specifically to support Collective for Hope's mission, the new facility includes clinical counseling spaces, a comfort room with star lighting, a courage room, offices, volunteer workspaces, a dedicated space for creating weighted bears for families experiencing infant loss, and outdoor spaces.

"Every inch of this new facility was designed with the intention and purpose to support our programming," said Cliff McEvoy, Executive Director of Collective for Hope. "This is truly a space for our entire community."

The facility also features a memorial and remembrance wall where families and community members can share names, photos, and messages honoring loved ones they have lost. As additional remembrance tiles are added, the wall will continue to grow as a visual reminder that no one has to navigate grief alone.

The needs of a community are constantly evolving. The construction journey to meet those needs is filled with complexity and issues people may not see coming. From concept through activation, MCL guides our partners with an innovative, tailored, clear approach. We do this because there is no better feeling than being valued for changing communities and lives for the better. 

MCL Construction delivers complex healthcare projects with a steadfast commitment to safety, innovation, and quality. 

This credential recognizes professionals who have demonstrated expertise in planning, constructing, and managing healthcare facilities. It validates their understanding of healthcare building systems, safety requirements, and regulatory compliance, giving owners confidence that MCL can protect patient safety, maintain operational continuity, and support innovation throughout construction.

Project Executive Tom Carlisle has dedicated nearly three decades to healthcare construction. Under his leadership, alongside MCL's experienced healthcare builders and in-house Learning and Development team, employees share lessons learned, stay current on industry trends, and continuously expand their expertise. 

MCL Senior Learning and Development Specialist Kayla Johnson works closey with employees to stay current on industry education and develop customized training programs that prepare team members for certification exams and daily best practices in the field. 

MCL further supports its healthcare clients with team members holding certifications such as Certified Healthcare Constructor (CHC), Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM), BCSP Construction Safety and Health Technician, and OSHA 500.

MCL remains committed to advancing safety and quality in healthcare construction. As we continue to expand our expertise, certifications, qualifications, and experience, we are focused on growing our healthcare portfolio in Nebraska and beyond while maintaining our leadership in the healthcare construction industry. 

The needs of a community are constantly evolving. The construction journey to meet those needs is filled with complexity and issues people may not see coming. From concept through activation, MCL guides our partners with an innovative, tailored, clear approach. We do this because there is no better feeling than being valued for changing communities and lives for the better. 

Healthcare construction has been central to MCL's story since our company was founded almost 40 years ago. 

We remain committed to investing in people, training, and the expertise required to meet the complex expectations of healthcare construction. Simply put, constructing healthcare projects is hard work. 

Every space serves a critical purpose, from patient rooms and operating suites to clinical areas and waiting rooms. These environments demand careful planning, specialized knowledge, and an understanding of how construction impacts patients, physicians, and daily operations. 

Our team combines decades of healthcare construction experience with ongoing training. We support continuing education, certifications, and best practices to stay at the forefront of healthcare standards and requirements. 

The needs of a community are constantly evolving. The construction journey to meet those needs is filled with complexity and issues people may not see coming. From concept through activation, MCL guides our partners with an innovative, tailored, clear approach. We do this because there is no better feeling than being valued for changing communities and lives for the better.

Photos By: Brad Anderson, Architectural Photography Inc. 

Olsson's Omaha office first opened in 1997 in a small office at 10th and Douglas.

As the company grew, the team moved to various locations throughout Omaha including its previous long-term home in Aksarben Village. Growing into a successful and engineering frim. After outgrowing its previous offices space and continuing to advance and grow, the company needed a larger-scale office.

On July 23, Olsson celebrated the opening of its new Omaha office, located at The Row at Heartwood Preserve near 144th and West Dodge Road. The ribbon-cutting was attended by team members, community leaders, and project partners. This new office will bring Olsson's Omaha team togeher under one roof and mark an exciting new chapter for the company as it continues to grow and serve Omaha and surrounding areas.

Olsson will occupy the second and third floors of the four-story building. Highlighted features include modern offices, a cafe, a terrace, custom artwork, and cutting-edge audio and visual elements throughout the building. 

"This is more than a building;  it's an investment in our community. It demonstrate Olsson's confidence in our growth and creates momentum, not just for the neighborhood, but for the entire region," said Liz Kerrigan, Senior Vice President of Member and Investor Relations for the Greater Omaha Chamber.

Olsson's new building will anchor The Row at Heartwood Preserve, which is part of a larger master plan for a mixed-use center featuring office space, retail and dining experiences, full-service hotels, and structured parking connected to trails, paths, and additional amenities. The Row will be a new go-to spot for families, visitors, and the Omaha community. 

"We're excited. With our building being the first in this part of the development, with all this stuff going on around it. Whether it's retail or restaurants, hotels, or apartment and residential buildings around this area. We're looking forward to that as a tenant of the space and watching it grow and develop over time. So, we're really excited to be here," said Brad Strittmatter, Chief Executive Officer for Olsson.

Working alongside Olsson and Lanoha Development on this new building allowed MCL Construction to help bring the firm's vision to life. The completed building provides space for collaboration, innovation, and continued growth, contributing to ongoing development. 

The needs of a community are constantly evolving. The construction journey to meet those needs is filled with complexity and issues people may not see coming. From concept through activation, MCl guides our partners with an innovative, tailored, clear approach. We do this because there is no better feeling than being valued for changing communities and lives for the better.

Cover Photo By: Brad Anderson, Architectural Photography Inc.

As demand for advanced rehabilitation services grows, Memorial Community Hospital (MCH) in Blair, Nebraska is expanding its commitment to patient care through the Rehabilitation and Performance Center expansion.

The new facility provides modern therapy services, dedicated spaces, and expanded treatment areas.

MCL Construction recently completed the project, partnering with MCH to create a space that better supports Blair and the surrounding communities. Previously, the department operated out of a smaller, less efficient space, forcing many patients to travel to Omaha for treatment. 

The new 6,932-square-foot facility was built to serve a wide range of ages and needs, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy. It features a dedicated kitchen area for occupational therapy exercises, a wound care suite, private rooms, and a gym with aerobics, fitness, and weight equipment specifically selected to accommodate various abilities.

"Our treatment options have increased exponentiall. Both patient and therapist satisfaction have increased in the month since we've been here. We now have the options and capabilities in Blair, so people can be treated here," said Ryan McCabe, department manager for the center. 

A standout feature of the facility is the HydroWorx 2000 pool, which includes several advanced therapy capabilities. It's adjustable floor rises and lowers to accommodate patients with varying mobility levels, including thos using wheelchairs, walkers, or other assistive devices. The pool also includes an integrated treadmill for low-impact training, adjustable water jets for resistance-based therapy, and underwater cameras that provide live video so therapists can monitor and analyze patient movement. 

This is the first HydroWorx pool MCL has installed. The work included excavating the pool pit, pouring the foundation and cast-in-place walls, and building a dedicated mechanical pad. The pool arrived in eight sections and was assembled on site.

Construction took place while MCH remained fully operational, requiring careful planning and coordination to minimize distruptions and maintain a safe environment for patients and staff. 

This facility represents MCH's continued investment in improving access to rehabilitation services. From specialized theraphy services to innovative technology, every aspect of the new center was designed with patients in mind.

"People were so excited to see it. We had around 250 people attend the open house on a Wednesday. People are excited, and the growth will continue, in no small part, because of the new department," McCabe said. 

Community leaders, the Centris team, and members celebrated the official ribbon-cutting at the new branch located at 11013 192nd Ave. in Gretna.

During the ceremony, Centris Federal Credit Union President and CEO Steve Swanstrom thanked MCL Construction and everyone who helped bring the project to life, recognizing the collaboration and teamwork behind the new branch. 

"It's nice to know the owner and the people you continually work with," said MCL Superintendent Michael Heser. He said established partnerships help teams communicate more effectively and efficiently. 

Gretna Mayor Mike Evans welcomed Centris to the community and said what's exciting about this build is "the impact the people inside this building will have in our community."

This new branch in Gretna will greatly benefit the community. It will provide residents with jobs and convenient banking options while supporting the area's continued growth. For MCL Construction, the project represents another successful collaboration with a long-standing client.

The needs of a community are constantly evolving. The construction journey to meet those needs is filled with complexity and issues people may not see coming. From concept through activation, MCL guides our partners with an innovative, tailored, and clear approach. We do this because there is no better feeling than being valued for changing communities and lives for the better. 

This increase in position is a reflection of our achievements, growth, and employee dedication. ​

MCL broke into the Engineering News-Record rankings at #373 for the first time in 2024. Since then, we have continued to grow staff, outreach through added markets, location, and services. ​

“Construction is always evolving, and we are doing our best to lead from the front,” says MCL Construction Managing Principal Tony Fucinaro.  ​

To keep up with the evolving market, MCL continues to implement innovative and strategic ideas.  ​

“Our biggest success over the past year is using the firm’s industrialized construction department to prefabricate and build components in a dedicated and controlled environment.” ​

The needs of a community are constantly evolving. The construction journey to meet those needs is filled with complexity and issues people may not see coming. From concept through activation, MCL guides our partners with an innovative, tailored, and clear approach. We do this because there is no better feeling than being valued for changing communities and lives for the better.   ​

Since 1927, the Urban League of Nebraska has been dedicated to empowering youth and adults to complete their education and achieve employment in Omaha. ​

“When I was a little kid and through high school, I was a part of the Urban League in Perry, Illinois, through after-school tutoring, college visits, and social activities. To now be a product of the Urban League system and recognized by it feels like coming full circle,” says Durand. ​

“MCL has a strong spirit of serving others and has integrity in doing the right thing, which is why I’m here,” said Durand. ​

“It’s taught me a lot and helped me grow,” Fatima said. “What I’ve enjoyed most is how much I’ve learned and how much I’ll continue to learn.” ​

The second tour was led by Brendan Grigaitis, a Senior at Wayne State studying Construction Management, and Summer Field Experience Intern Jack Sweet-Bemer, a Sophomore at University of Nebraska Lincoln studying Construction Management. The pair highlighted Crossroads Block D. A milestone project in the City of Omaha that will include a two-level, 400 stall cast in place post tension parking garage and the new Gamescape building that includes eight movie theaters, a bowling alley, laser tag, arcade games, bar and grill, and restrooms. ​

The two-year project involves rebuilding the school while maintaining the historic 1932 schoolhouse.  ​

Dawson explained that both this project and his experience with MCL have contributed significantly to his personal and professional growth. ​

“They constantly get me involved,” he said. “They put me in uncomfortable positions so I can grow, that’s the best part. I can grow as a person beyond work, but also within the industry.” ​

Whether working on new construction, contributing to a large-scale development, or preserving history, each intern highlighted the value of hands-on learning and strong mentorship at MCL. This internship program is made to build future professionals and prepare them to lead, adapt, and succeed in the construction industry.  ​

The needs of a community are constantly evolving. The construction journey to meet those needs is filled with complexity and issues people may not see coming. From concept through activation, MCL guides our partners with an innovative, tailored, and clear approach. We do this because there is no better feeling than being valued for changing communities and lives for the better. ​