on view
La Vista City Centre – La Vista, Nebraska
La Vista City Centre represents a transformation of a 34-acre site into a vibrant, mixed-use destination for the growing La Vista community, located just south of Omaha. Developed through a collaborative vision, the project brings together retail, dining, residential, and entertainment experiences to create an authentic downtown environment where people can gather, connect, and stay. At the heart of the district is The Astro Theater, an indoor/outdoor music venue that anchors a series of connected public spaces designed to support both everyday activity and large-scale events. Surrounding these spaces, a mix of offices, apartments, and locally driven businesses contributes to a walkable, energetic environment that continues to attract new investment and community engagement.
As you move through the site, lighting helps shape the experience after dark. In gathering areas, bold red illumination from GVA Lighting’s FL50 creates a strong visual focal point and reinforces the energy of the space. Throughout the project, stairs and handrails are thoughtfully integrated with QTL’s Micro 5 Kicker, providing subtle guidance and added safety. Adding to the project’s appeal are Cooper Lighting Solutions, Dado Lighting, ETC, and Finelite, which help deliver a layered lighting approach that ties the space together from every angle.
The Players:
Architect: RDG – Des Moines
Electrical Engineer: Alvine
Lighting Engineer: RDG – Des Moines
Electrical Contractor: Thompson Solutions Group
General Contractor: JE Dunn Construction
Photographs by Brad Hull
insight to light
Sustainable by Design: Inside Spectrum Lighting
An Interview with Beth Segall, Regional Sales Manager
Before joining Spectrum Lighting four years ago, Beth Segall was a middle‑school teacher navigating the challenges of the classroom during COVID. A family friend encouraged her to consider sales, and after touring Spectrum’s factory and meeting the owners, she made the leap. Today, she supports reps across the country and brings her educator’s mindset to every conversation — clear communication, curiosity, and a genuine focus on people.
What sets Spectrum Lighting apart in the market?
One of the biggest differentiators is that we’re fully vertically integrated. We bring in raw materials and ship out complete, finished fixtures — everything from powder coat and paint to welding, laser work, CNC machining, and product design happens in house. That gives us tight quality control, competitive lead times, and the ability to keep more than 250 Americans employed. It’s something we’re really proud of.
Are there any new or upcoming products you’re especially excited about?
We recently launched our RD Downlight Series and our Duo Series. Both lines share a universal housing with interchangeable modules and trims, which makes ordering simple and maintenance even easier. Everything is serviceable from below the ceiling plane, so if a module or driver needs to be replaced 10 or 15 years down the road, you don’t have to tear out the whole fixture.
We’ve focused on maintainability for years, but the industry is now talking about “Right to Repair,” especially after a Wall Street Journal article highlighted it. Designers and specifiers are thinking more about sustainability and long‑term serviceability, and these products really embody that philosophy.
What do you enjoy most about working with Mercer Zimmerman and spending time in our territories?
Mercer Zimmerman mirrors a lot of Spectrum’s values — especially being people‑focused. In lighting, there are endless product options, but who you choose to work with day‑to‑day matters just as much. Your team prioritizes relationships, trust, and service, and that makes projects run smoothly.
I also love the design community in your region. They’re curious, engaged, and always asking thoughtful questions about where a product might fit. They feel like lifelong learners, and that energy makes every visit fun.
What’s one thing you want customers to know about Spectrum?
Spectrum was founded by two childhood friends who started building fixtures in their garage. Today we employ more than 260 people, but the company is still privately owned by those same founders — and they’re very hands‑on. I can call them on their cell phones if something comes up.
We also have multiple generations of families who’ve worked at Spectrum. People start on the factory floor and grow into leadership, customer service, inside sales, or quotes. Investing in our people is a huge part of who we are.
How did you personally find your way into lighting?
I came from education, and there’s actually a lot of crossover — sales is really about teaching. I’m comfortable presenting and connecting with people; the technical learning curve was the bigger challenge. But I’ve had great reps and engineers to lean on, and I feel lucky to have landed in such a supportive network.
fact-ology
Just For the Hullofit
Brad Hull, Controls Sales & Community Engagement Manager, takes a question from the field on how lighting and controls are coming together as one unified system and why it’s becoming the new standard.
batter up
Haskell’s Sports Lighting is a Home Run
The new softball facility at Haskell Indian Nations University steps up to the plate with a standout lighting solution from Ephesus Sports Lighting, featuring LumaSport 8 fixtures that deliver the performance and visibility needed for every inning. Installed by Torgeson Electric, the system is designed to support both players and spectators, providing bright, uniform illumination across the field while minimizing glare and enhancing overall playability. This project highlights how lighting design can elevate the game-day experience, creating a space where athletes can perform at their best, and fans can enjoy every moment under the lights.
