The Kiewit Luminarium is the jewel of Omaha’s ongoing reimagining of its Riverfront. The new science center opened just over a year ago and has been in the business of educating and entertaining people of all ages ever since. This impressive structure is the result of multiple years of planning and construction. In that time, key stakeholders came together to create an environment that has been called a space to “dream, play, wonder, experiment, and consider something new.”
Planning and Construction
The planning process for this structure began late last decade. Despite being a city of nearly a half-million people, Omaha didn’t have a major museum dedicated solely to science.
The first step was to acquire the appropriate funding. Heritage Services, a local philanthropy organization that has been a major part of many Omaha civic projects over the years, was responsible for raising the $101 million sum that it took to construct the project.
Meanwhile, Kiewit, a local construction and engineering firm with global reach, oversaw the construction work. The firm, which is also the namesake for the center, made a significant donation to the project.
The Exploratorium, Heritage Services, and architecture firm HDR partnered to bring this project to fruition. The construction work began in fall 2020 and continued for about two years. The Kiewit Luminarium held its grand opening on April 15, 2023. The 82,000 square foot structure already held 120 interactive exhibits at the time of its opening and has the potential to host even more.
“We are proud to be partners in making science accessible to Omaha and the surrounding region through playful, inquiry-driven experiences,” Anne Richardson, the Exploratorium’s Chief Global Officer said to local media. “Kiewit Luminarium embodies the values and aspirations of the surrounding communities and the ways in which science, technology, engineering, and math are integrated into their lives. We can’t wait to see visitors engage with the exhibits and discover new ways of seeing the world.”
An Accessible Museum
The interactive exhibits and programs held at Kiewit Luminarium are designed for anyone from children to senior citizens to enjoy., although there are “Nite Lite” events held each Thursday night for adults only. However, people of all ages can enjoy a meal any time at “Fig”, the museum’s café.
The center offers a membership program that has options for individuals, couples, families, grandparents, and educators. There are also discounted full family memberships available. Additionally, the museum is working with local community groups to offer free memberships to the economically disadvantaged.
The Exhibits and More
Many of the exhibits in the Kiewit Luminarium reflect the history and culture of Omaha. This includes the connection to the fields of construction, agriculture, and finance, as well as its relationship to the local Missouri River. Visitors to the museum can learn more about math concepts like financial literacy and immersive geometry; applied technology in the fields of farming, clothing design, and city design; and can view a series of original short documentaries covering STEM-related work.
Riverfront Redevelopment
The Kiewit Luminarium is just one part of the larger Omaha reimagined Riverfront. So far, more than $400 million has been poured into redeveloping Lewis & Clark Landing – the northernmost component of The Missouri Riverfront. It is located just east of the CHI Health Center Omaha Arena and Convention Center and near the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. This area has undergone radical change over the past four years, being transformed into a destination recreation area. In addition to the luminarium, the area is now home to extensive green space, a destination playground, a sandy urban beach with fire pits, volleyball courts, and more.
At Construction Protection Systems, we’re proud to have played a small part in development of the Kiewit Luminarium. Stay tuned for more updates from the makers of 1-2-3 Door Shield—the original, reusable door protection system.