NORFOLK - The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District is moving out of its longtime home on Northeast’s campus, and heading to the north side of town.
The LENRD acquired the former Sterling Computers building on Square Turn Boulevard in Norfolk. It’s a $1.2 million investment up front, but officials say it’s a better investment for taxpayers than the rising cost of staying at Northeast.
“Looking at our options we were lucky to find this building,” said LENRD General Manager Mike Sousek. “We ran the numbers and sharpened the pencil and it turned out over the long run this will be a better option for the taxpayers.”
Sousek says the new space should make the often crowded LENRD meetings much more comfortable as well.
“We’ve kind of outgrown this board room,” Sousek said. “It gets pretty tight in here. We’re going to have a lot more space. We’re probably going to be able to seat 100-120 people plus the board.”
The new building will house the LENRD’s 16 employees as well as two employees from the Department of Natural Resources and potentially a geologist from the conservation survey division. Sousek says they also plan on creating a water lab in their new larger space as well.
“We kind of lost our identity here,” Sousek said. “We’re a part of the college, but there’s a lot of other things going on here. This building will have a nice sign. It has great visibility on Highway 81 and Benjamin Avenue. I’m looking forward to it.”
Sousek says the NRD is currently awaiting bids for some renovation work, and hopes to be moved into the new offices by the end of April.
