Former Dana College dorm rooms transforming into apartments

BLAIR, Neb. (WOWT) - Developers believe Dana Village could become a national model for what can become of a closed college campus.

The former Dana College campus in Blair is 140 years old and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The college closed down in 2010.

Now Dana is transforming from a college to a village -- dorm rooms becoming apartments. 61 apartments, to be exact. Lutheran Family Services officials tell 6 News about 150 young people age out of the state’s foster care system each year. They say they would be much better off here than in the adult world fast lane.

“The rents on the apartments are based on income. 40% of all youth that age out of foster care end up homeless within nine months,” said LFS president Chris Tonniges. “Those that are female end up pregnant within a year, and there’s about 40% that end up working in the sex trade after one year.”

Dana Village will offer much more than housing to the young people who need help adjusting to independent living. Kim Nelson is a transitional living coach who helps guide the young people to a happy and productive life.

“They don’t know the resources to start in getting a job, career exploration, the education to get that job,” Nelson said. “Sometimes it’s budgeting, some simple life skills (like) meal prep.”

There’s also room here in the village for low-income senior citizens. LFS officials believe the young and the old will be a good mix.

“Some of the youth are coming here and have never done a load of laundry in their life. The ability to have somebody on the campus that can help coach and teach them how to do those basic life skills is an important part of success.”

The plan is to use the buildings on the 150-acre campus as community resources, from sports activities to restaurants. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and other officials cut the ribbon to mark the official launch of Dana Village -- one Pillen says is for the kids of Nebraska.

“As long as I’m your governor, you can rest assured that any mistake we make is going to be on the benefit of the kids,” Pillen said.

The $105 million project has three key objectives: homelessness prevention, workforce development, and campus renovation.