Creighton University in Omaha has launched the “Fly Together” initiative, a donor-funded plan worth approximately $300 million. It will transform twelve blocks along the east side of Creighton’s campus in Omaha. Leaders intend this investment to better connect the university with the city’s heart and strengthen student life.
Athletics, Amenities & Academic Spaces Rise
The plan calls for eleven new or upgraded facilities and outdoor areas spanning around 700,000 square feet. These include a Student Fitness Center and upgrades to the existing Rasmussen Fitness & Sports Center. A Sports Performance Center will serve the university’s 300 student-athletes. Renovations to athletics buildings, plus new baseball and softball fields, also form core parts—similar in scale to Skanska’s work on the Longwood University Performing Arts Center in Virginia.
A key feature is the “Jaywalk,” a pedestrian corridor designed to link Creighton’s east campus with Omaha’s Builder’s District. The Builder’s District includes retail, entertainment, housing, and the Kiewit Corporation headquarters. This linkage aims to blur campus boundaries and make access to the city more seamless.
Project Factsheet – Fly Together Initiative
Project Name Fly Together
University Creighton University
Location East side of Creighton campus; North Downtown Omaha
Investment $300 million (donor-funded)
Key Donor Heider Family Foundation – $100 million leading gift
New / Upgraded Facilities Fitness Center, Performance Center, Baseball & Softball fields, Jaywalk, etc.
Footprint 700,000 sq ft over 12 blocks
Student Population Impact 300 Division I athletes + broader student body
Community Impact Improved urban core ties, retail & housing in Builder’s District
Major Gift Propels Momentum
The Heider Family Foundation provided a $100 million lead gift, the largest in Creighton’s history. Other supporters include the Werner, Pearson, Don Scott, and CL and Rachel Werner families. The lead gift underwrites many early phases and signals strong confidence from major donors.
Creighton’s leaders view Fly Together as essential to athletic competitiveness. Athletic Director Marcus Blossom said facility enhancements will help recruit and retain top student athletes. Coach Greg McDermott emphasized how improved resources help level the playing field against schools with large media contracts. The project also supports intramural and club sports expansion.
Community & Urban Growth Impact
Fly Together includes plans for outdoor gathering spaces, improved pedestrian flow, and public access points. University administrators believe the project will energize Omaha’s urban core. New restaurants, housing, and parks in the Builder’s District will benefit. In addition, Creighton’s larger enrollment and academic growth depend in part on appealing campus environments.
Some components have already broken ground, including the sports fields and performance center. Construction proceeds in phases to minimize disruption. Creighton projected that many parts will open soon, and full implementation will unfold over several years.
Fly Together matters because it merges donor generosity, urban revitalization, and student experience. It strengthens ties between Creighton and downtown Omaha. It enhances athletic competitiveness and supports growth in student life. Also, it illustrates how universities can lead in transforming urban neighborhoods. Finally, this model may inspire similar partnerships between private institutions and city planners across the Midwest. (Added insight)
