City of Lincoln approves land for Malone Center’s $20 million expansion

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Lincoln city council members on Monday approved the transfer of city property to the Malone Center for just $1, making room for its $20 million expansion project.

“This is for the next 50 to 100 years,” Director John Goodwin said. “This is for our community.”

Every year, the Clyde Malone Community Center serves nearly 1,000 children and families in Lincoln.

And Goodwin said the current building near 21st and U Streets just isn’t big enough.

The limitations have forced the center, which is focused on eliminating multigenerational poverty, to spend valuable time moving programs to other locations.

The center then plans to demolish its current 14,000-square-foot building, replacing it with a new 52,000-square-foot facility, including additional parking.

The new building will include office space, classrooms, a computer lab, conference rooms, a gymnasium and a kitchen.

The Malone Center received a $1.5 million grant and has raised another $2.5 million so far. 

It expects to start demolition by next spring and hopes to complete the project by the end of 2025.