2 weeks Ago By MIKE KONZ Kearney Hub
KEARNEY — Visitors and residents of Kearney will soon be welcomed by a brand-new visitors center. The Kearney Welcome Center is set to open in February and will provide guests the opportunity to learn more about Kearney while encouraging further exploration of the area. Inside, guests will find a locally inspired mural near brochures and a kiosk.
Displayed along the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows will be banners showcasing area highlights. The floor is designed to represent the Platte River, complete with cranes suspended from the ceilings "flying" throughout the space. A large, interactive map will highlight many of Kearney’s attractions, and an adjacent display will feature a snapshot of upcoming events.
A piece of Kearney history will also be on display as bricks from downtown Kearney streets have been repurposed and used in the Then & Now community history area. Sandhill cranes and their natural environments will be a focus throughout the center, complete with displayed content captured by Nebraska photographer Michael Forsberg, along with footage of the cranes taken at Rowe Sanctuary. The Welcome Center is part of the Kearney Partnership Building, which will house offices for Visit Kearney and the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, and Buffalo County Economic Development.
In addition to the office space, there will be community rooms for new and existing businesses to utilize for meetings or collaborations. Both the offices and meeting rooms will be open for use in mid-November. Right off of Interstate 80, the new building is near hotels, convention centers, the hike and bike trail, the SportsPlex and Younes Landing, which is under development.
The Welcome Center will be open seven days a week to visitors and the community and will serve as a designated Nebraska visitor center during summer months. A collection of Metallica’s James Hetfield’s cars are on display at The American Automobile Experience museum in Kearney. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
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