The Nebraska City Center for Children and Families (NCCCF) is one of Berggren Architects’ most significant adaptive reuse projects, transforming the former Nebraska City Elks Club into a centralized home for organizations serving children, families, veterans, workers, and the broader community.

The project is located in Nebraska City, NE, and began with an ambitious community vision. As the former Elks Club became underutilized, local organizations came together around the opportunity to create a shared facility that could bring a variety of social and family-centered services under one roof. Through this collaborative effort, the building was given a new purpose and became a resource for the Nebraska City community

The Challenge

Converting the former Elks Club into a successful multi-agency facility required more than simply renovating the existing interior. The building needed to accommodate organizations with different operational needs while creating a cohesive environment that encouraged accessibility, collaboration, and ease of use.

The arrangement of spaces was particularly important. Each agency required appropriate levels of privacy and functionality, while shared spaces needed to support interaction among tenants and the public. Careful consideration of circulation and sightlines were necessary to create a facility that was both welcoming and efficient.

Our Strategy

Berggren Architects provided full architectural services for the renovation, completely reworking the interior and exterior of the existing building. Interior improvements included new walls, plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems, and accessibility upgrades.

The exterior was substantially improved with a new façade, roof, entrances, parking improvements, and accessible routes throughout the site.

Rather than treating each organization as an isolated tenant, the design brought the agencies together through shared amenities, including a central reception area, conference room, and large breakroom. The facility also incorporated a childcare component in the lower level, further expanding the services available to families.

The project was funded in part through the USDA Office of Rural Development, giving Berggren Architects an opportunity to further develop its experience coordinating projects involving federal funding agencies and requirements.

Results

The completed Nebraska City Center for Children and Families demonstrates the sustainable potential of adapting an existing building for an entirely new purpose. By consolidating multiple organizations into one location, the project created a more accessible and connected network of services for the community while giving a previously underutilized building a new life.

The NCCCF continues to illustrate how thoughtful adaptive reuse can preserve the value of an existing structure while creating spaces that respond to changing community needs.