$20M development in Wayne to keep community growing

WAYNE, Neb. (KCAU) — On the east side of Wayne, there is a $20 million transformational development underway.

Known as the Prairie Trail Development, the project still has a way to go before it will be complete, but the amenities are sure to help Wayne grow for years to come.

“The community is expanding. They had a housing problem, and we’re helping fit one of those needs,” Cory Christensen, the director of Development R Perry Construction, said. “We have 144 units here, one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedrooms. And then having the park right behind us, it’s absolutely amazing.”

Christensen said they are completing all of their goals in terms of renting and are excited to finish the other buildings in January.

“A transformational project. There very few times you get a chance to re-develop 20 to 30 acres of ground into a park. And so it’s an important thing in the community,” Wayne City Administrator Wes Blecke said.

Christensen hopes that this project will bring in more people with all of the fun, family friendly amenities. As well as keep current residents in town.

“To have 30 acres, like he said, to offer to the public,” Park and Recreation Director Lowell Heggemeyer said. “And to have everything in one area now. Now we’re going to have flag football. We’re going to have soccer. Softball. Everything right in one area. Camping and lake.”

Christensen said the community already has a park and a lake, but it’s on the opposite side of town. This new park gives people another option.

“The city council stepped up and said, ‘now we want to we want to make this make this happen.’ And we had a great partnership with our Perry construction when they were doing the apartments,” said Blecke.

Blecke added that working with the city has been very easy, and he feels that the community is very excited for the project to be completed.

“This project and having all the things that we have built around this is like it’s really amazing. People can walk out of their back door and they’re basically ten feet from the trail system for the parks. This development in part with the city is, I think, just an amazing opportunity for Wayne,” said Christensen.

Officials are hoping for the Prairie Trail Development to be complete in 2026.

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