Nike store set to come downtown

Posted by: Marlenia Thornton

mthornton@klkntv.com

Big news for UNL students and downtown Lincoln residents!

Global retailer Nike is coming to the capital city soon.

A store is going into one–third of the former Nebraska Bookstore building near 13 and  Q streets.

This comes after former Husker and NFL superstar Ndamukong Suh submitted a proposal to the university back in August.

Some students are thrilled.

"The closest Nike thing we have is the Nike outlet mall up near Gretna-ish. I am excited. It’s every exciting,” UNL Student Justin Wiley said.

Suh’s development company TFL beat out another bid for the shopping space.

The Nebraska board of regents unanimously voted to accept the sale  for $1.25 million Friday with the exception of Regent Tim Clare.

He’s worked with Suh in the past and believed choosing to vote would be a conflict of interest.

University officials believe the Nike store was the most attractive option.

I think it gives university students another opportunity as well as Lincolnites and visitors to campus another opportunity to find another retailer downtown that serves another niche,” UNL Spokesman Steve Smith said.

The project is planned to be two levels and up to 19,000 feet.

It’ll be located on the southwest corner of the old bookstore and should open by next fall.

UNL will use the other two–thirds of the facility for academic purposes.

Overall, students love the idea.

"I see a lot of students walking with Nike things, so I definitely think students would be going there and because it’s such a central location,” UNL Student Anna Meduna said.

"I’m excited, I’m very excited. I think it would be awesome,” Wiley said.

The university says it will announce its plans for the rest of the building sometime later this fall.