Kaplan University plans expansion in Lincoln

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By MATT OLBERDING/Lincoln Journal Star

Kaplan University, which offers a variety of degrees in business and other vocational fields, is planning a “major redevelopment” of its Lincoln campus at 1821 K St.

Documents submitted to the Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Department show plans for an addition to Kaplan’s existing classroom building that will roughly double its space, which, according to the Lancaster County Assessor’s Office, is a little less than 10,000 square feet.

The college also plans to tear down an old dormitory at the southwest corner of its campus and turn it into a parking lot, and create a landscaped parking lot across the street on the northwest corner of 19th and K.

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Kaplan University's expansion and renovation of its Lincoln campus will approximately double the size of its classroom building. This rendering shows the proposed addition to Kaplan University’s existing classroom building at 1821 K St. The addition is on the left side, with the existing building on the right. (Photo courtesy Kaplan University)

Kaplan University's expansion and renovation of its Lincoln campus will approximately double the size of its classroom building. This rendering shows the proposed addition to Kaplan University’s existing classroom building at 1821 K St. The addition is on the left side, with the existing building on the right. (Photo courtesy Kaplan University)

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission on Wednesday recommended approval of a zoning change to help make the project happen.

Caitlin Tridle, a spokeswoman for Kaplan Higher Education, said details are not “totally concrete yet,” but she said construction is set to start this fall and be completed by the end of 2009.

Total cost of the project is expected to be more than $5 million, she said.

Tridle said the expansion will help accommodate past growth and anticipated future growth at the college, which currently has about 500 students.

She said there are no immediate plans for additional degree programs but that the college constantly re-evaluates its offerings depending on economic and job trends.

Another reason the college is choosing to expand is the Antelope Valley redevelopment project, Tridle said.

Eventually, 19th Street is slated to become a six-lane road starting at K Street and going north, meaning Kaplan’s front door will be right near a major intersection.

That will put Kaplan “in the forefront of the exciting Antelope Valley redevelopment,” according to a letter the college sent to the Planning Department.

The Lincoln project is Kaplan’s second major investment in its Nebraska properties. Earlier this year it relocated its Omaha campus.

The Lincoln Campus, which was founded in 1884 as Nebraska Business College, was known as Lincoln School of Commerce until 2004, when it changed its name to Hamilton College.

It has gone through several changes of ownership since its founding.  

Last October, Kaplan retired the Hamilton College name and incorporated the Lincoln and Omaha campuses into its Kaplan University division.

Kaplan is a division of the Washington Post Co.  

Reach Matt Olberding at 473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com.