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Council to consider declaring land blighted for arena

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BY DEENA WINTER / Lincoln Journal Star

Friday, Sep 21, 2007 - 11:13:42 am CDT

After about three years of debate and planning, the Lincoln City Council will finally get a say as to whether the city should move in the direction of building a new arena.

The council won’t specifically be asked whether to build an arena, but it will be asked to take an action that opens the door.

The council will hold a public hearing and likely vote Monday on whether to declare blighted 403 acres between downtown and Salt Creek.

Story Photo
City Council Member Robin Eschliman. (LJS File)
If you go

What: Lincoln City Council public hearing on whether to declare a 403-acre area blighted, in connection with plans to build a new arena near the Haymarket District.

When: Meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. Monday, although there are other items on the agenda.

Where: City Council chambers, County-City Building, 555 S. 10th St.

City officials call it a milestone in the long process of deciding whether the city will build a new arena to replace the Pershing Center.

Declaring the land blighted is only the first of many steps. If the land is blighted, an urban renewal financing tool called tax increment financing can be used to help fund the project, which also includes a private hotel and convention center.

Council members say they’ve heard little from the public in advance of Monday’s meeting. Councilwoman Robin Eschliman said she’s heard nary a word on the subject.

“Quite frankly, I haven’t heard any comments from anybody other than supporters,” said Councilman Ken Svoboda.

He thinks the blighting is appropriate and will be supported by the council.

“This doesn’t commit us to anything,” he said.

Councilman Jon Camp isn’t sure he’ll vote on the blighting. He owns several buildings in the Haymarket, and while the state Accountability and Disclosure Commission said he did not appear to have a conflict of interest, he’s still deliberating.

“I just want to do the right thing,” he said.

Camp said to date, he has been neutral on the issue of whether to build an arena. He said he’d like to study the economics of it further.

Councilman Jonathan Cook said while he is interested in hearing from the public, the area appears to meet the state’s definition of “blighted.”

“That does not mean that we are concluding we should build an arena or any other particular thing,” he said. “It just opens up the possibilities for discussion.”

He said constituents often tell him they think the Pershing Center needs to be replaced or renovated, but aren’t sure the city can afford a new arena.

He’d like to see voters weigh in on the subject at some point.

Councilman Doug Emery said he wants to hear from the public before forming an opinion.

Almost a month ago, the city-county planning commission unanimously recommended approving the blight designation.

In about a month, the council will be asked to amend the Lincoln Center Redevelopment Plan to include an arena, hotel and convention center.

If the council goes along with that, the city can solicit proposals from private developers for a convention center and hotel.

Reach Deena Winter at 473-2642 or dwinter@journalstar.com.


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LNK 4 ARENA! wrote on September 21, 2007 11:30 am:
" Build it already! "

 Good wrote on September 21, 2007 11:33 am:
" It would be better if the city council was drawn from a hat of residents. Rather than having only the people with lots of money represent us. Do you really feel represented by these people? "

 Weller wrote on September 21, 2007 11:37 am:
" Build a museum district with science, history and the arts, too. You might hesitate building your future around show-biz and fake baseball. "

 Yup wrote on September 21, 2007 11:45 am:
" This is just the first step towards getting the arena crammed down taxpayers throat. Ken Svoboda apparently doesn't read LJS comments if he thinks everyone is "for" this. But in the end, it really doesn't matter what you or I say. They'll do whatever they want anyway and there's nothing we can do about it. Get ready to fork over more BIG bucks for this. "

 DR wrote on September 21, 2007 12:16 pm:
" As long as the Lancaster County board of commissioners is not involved. It may be something great! "

 Jan wrote on September 21, 2007 12:24 pm:
" This city needs a new arena. Something more modern and bigger. I've read all the arguments against it here but I still think we need it. When businesses look at an area to move or build they look at many things besides workforce. What amenities does the city have? Will we be able to recruit people from other areas and convince them to move to Lincoln? I don't think we can afford not to have an arena whether it is tax payer supported or not. "

 do it wrote on September 21, 2007 12:27 pm:
" build it... no one wants to come to pershing center anyways "

 johnson wrote on September 21, 2007 1:40 pm:
" Folks get out your checkbooks. This thing is going to happen. The city council is sleeping just as close to the developers as the county board. They could find contaminated soil under all this , (and they probably will) they will have to excavate and fill. This just all ties to neatly with the haymarket, baseball, fairgrounds,. Think of the developers and council members who have had an interest in this area. You know the old saying "if it walks and talks like a duck it probably is a duck" . This is just another thing that smells awful stinky. On the surface it seems about as corrupt as washington. "

 Who will use it? wrote on September 21, 2007 2:00 pm:
" Who will use this arena? If the answer is UNL Athletics, then UNL Athletics should pay for it. Has there been any studies done to show people would choose the Lincoln arena over Omaha's Qwest Center? Flying into Lincoln is not nearly as easy as flying into Omaha. Do people really think users of the arena are going to fly into Omaha Eppley airport, drive past the Omaha Qwest Center, and drive 50 miles to get to the Lincoln arena? "

 JT wrote on September 21, 2007 2:03 pm:
" Explain why replacing the decrepit Pershing Center is corrupt. It is going to have to happen sooner or later, most likely in the next 10 years. Let's get the ball rolling and build the thing. For those of you who hate the city council so much, here's an idea, run for office. "

 Brett wrote on September 21, 2007 2:50 pm:
" Build it at 1-80 & N 27th St! Easy access, easy to expand, interstate right next door, don't get landlocked into the haymarket! Um, traffic is bad enough at 9th & O. How do you expect 10K ppl to get to this arena? "

 sam wrote on September 21, 2007 3:42 pm:
" buy the fair grounds and build it there and give the university the emphy buildings in downtown to put in the research center as a trade off "

 also YUP wrote on September 21, 2007 4:16 pm:
" It is not that I am opposed to the new arena. I just don't like the fact that all money has to be spent downtown, which is a traffic/parking nightmare. If you want to build it, then build it someplace where RR tracks do not have to be moved and buildings tore down. There is pleanty of open space in this city to build it where traffic would not be so bad. "

 Development Pays for Itself wrote on September 21, 2007 4:37 pm:
" Building an arena would be a positive step forward for Lincoln. The "get out your checkbooks" crowd is missing the point. An arena would bring in money as well as jobs. Everyone I know supports the arena. Go for it!! "

 mark wrote on September 21, 2007 4:58 pm:
" no wonder it's so hard to attract business to Lincoln. Apparently the whople city is blighted! "

 DBM wrote on September 21, 2007 8:03 pm:
" If you're going to build this, make it larger than the Quest Center. More tickets to sell, means bigger acts will come here. Don't waste my tax money building a smaller arena. "

 yoshiki wrote on September 21, 2007 9:21 pm:
" Brett, that's the wrong philosophy that many cities went by decades ago (even here in Lincoln when the 'O' Street Gang pulled out of downtown). Remember the flight to suburbia back then? When it occurred, what resulted were empty, crumbling buildings, crime and vacant streets within cities' cores. Today... and it's been successful, getting people back into downtown to cure the heart disease & loss of character many of these cities experienced. Last thing we want out-of-towners coming into Lincoln to do is skip on the outskirts into Wal-Mart after visiting the arena, and then go right back out of the city, neglecting the rest. 27th/I-80's not a good idea. "

 PWW wrote on September 21, 2007 9:33 pm:
" "LNK 4 ARENA" put your check book where your mouth is!!! Cook is johnny on the spot when it comes to spending money. They're already doing what they want, this is just icing on the cake after its already eaten. Lets see, more taxes for the jail, more taxes for the arena, more taxes for the fair, isn't it interesting how our property values are more than the mansions in Palm Springs!!!! You got it, anything they want in this town its blighted!!! Reminds me of a bunch of teenagers that will lie to get what they want! Basically they are saying, we don't give a hoot about the retired on fixed incomes. They don't even try to lift the burden they face. Probably need a depression to teach some of these spenders a good lession. "

 JPD wrote on September 21, 2007 11:28 pm:
" I agree with Bret about building it near the I80 and 27th street area. No buildings to knock down, just wide open fields. Downtown Lincoln is a traffic nightmare and they want to build it there? New blood on the council please. "

 Snookie wrote on September 22, 2007 1:40 am:
" Public hearing....what public hearing....all it is, is an opportunity for council members to check...email.....text messages... return missed calls...etc.... protocol is all it is...the ball has dropped already, the decision is made, and the deed is done. Any public hearing I've attended...the councilmembers are staring blankly at the wall and going through the motions. A public hearing is a joke...it looks good on paper.. and gives the public a false sense of "voice".. in reality..it merely kills time and offers the public an "arena" (Oops, did I say arena?) to vent,drink coffee, and share christmas cookie recipes...give me a break...it's all for show, and no tell. "

 True....True.... wrote on September 22, 2007 3:23 am:
" While it IS true we need a new arena. What we DON'T need if to build it in a FLOOD PLAIN. And that's where they are planning to build it. What happens when, or if, that area floods???? Ah yes...the TAXPAYERS will help rebuild anything that's there. Because FEMA certainly won't help out. There are better places to build that are close to downtown and NOT in a flood plain area. "

 Doc wrote on September 22, 2007 5:57 am:
" TRAFFIC. The biggest problem with putting an arena downtown is traffic. Build it and they will come is only as good as build it and they will come, if they can get there easily and drive home comfortably. Planners need to think "outside the box", which might include another location. Look at every mile along the interstate from the airport to Waverly. Is there an exit? Could there be an exit? What about the land available? Utilities? "

 Hjalmer wrote on September 22, 2007 6:39 am:
" Pershing isn't really what you need anymore, but the argument that Lincoln has to build an arena BECAUSE Omaha has one is foolish. It reminds me of the same silly competition between nearby towns in rural Nebraska. Lincoln simply doesn't have the tax base to do it. Everytime some big project in Omaha comes up we hear about "Private Capital" as part of the funding. Where are the rich folks in Lincoln stepping up to donate 50% of the cost? The competition btween Omaha and Lincoln diminishes cooperation and in the end they both lose. Don't try to compete with Omaha. Find ways to synergize with them. You think you're going to get the Rolling Stones to play BOTH cities? Lincoln has a flagship University and promotes football, but what about all the other events and interests that could be big draws? Decide to take a tired event like the State Fair and make it into a signature event that people REALLY want to come to. If Lincoln builds a big new arena, it will stand as an empty monuments to bad planning. "

 Junior wrote on September 22, 2007 3:16 pm:
" Lincoln is having a major identity crisis because it is trying to keep up with Omaha. Lincoln should be trying to hone in on niches that don't suit Omaha. Omaha has it's huge arena, world-class zoo, wonder performing arts center, and possible downtown baseball field. Lincoln needs to attract the entertainers that are too small for the Qwest center but too big for the Sokol Arena or the Slowdown. The Pershing was a good venue for this. Also, with its closer association to rural life and Western Nebraska, Lincoln should have more agricultural events like rodeo events and country music. In my opinion, and expanded fairground in East Lincoln would serve these purposes quit nicely. "

 Bad Idea wrote on September 22, 2007 3:18 pm:
" The only reason to build an arena in Lincoln is so that the developers can get rich. They are lining up to build the hotels/convention centers around the arena because they can make huge dollars from them (can you say $400 a night for football?) They don't want to sink their money into building the arena, because everyone knows it can't break even. If Omaha can't get enough big acts to support itself, you're kidding yourselves to think Lincoln can. Be ready to write the checks, because when MR. Camp & "our" city council are done we'll all be footing the bill again! "

 Terry wrote on September 22, 2007 7:27 pm:
" Go for it! Build this thing just to make a few rich on the backs of the the local tax payers, and watch it become another big looser, just like the Qwest, Lancaster Event Center, The Big Ditch through town, Etc. But don't expect the rest of the state to pay for it. Rural Nebraska has had enough of being ignored, and having their tax dollars channeled into these projects, and won't stand for any more of it! "

 Growth wrote on September 23, 2007 8:57 am:
" It's about $$. The council would not be talking about this unless they felt this would generate more money into the city. This gives Lincoln something to do other than waiting for fall to watch Football! "

 Quest wrote on September 23, 2007 9:01 am:
" The Quest Center is profitable and making money hand over fist. Lincoln and surrounding towns will pack this place and the Lincoln arena will be in the black within the year. How many people would go to Husker basketball games if after dinner or coffee the arena were right there and you didn't have to drive to it...just one example. "

 space wrote on September 23, 2007 9:48 am:
" Again the need for space. There seems to be a lot of it bounded in the area form Holdrege to Leighton and 48th to 33rd. What do we need corn fields in the middle of town for any way. You can't tell me these little plots of different crops really provide that much true research. "

 Complainers wrote on September 23, 2007 10:14 am:
" Did you read the article??? Why should the Council read the LJS blogs? Get off your duff and go to a hearing if you feel so strong about. Oh, much easier to whine on a message board. And if you don't feel represented by the City Council members, run for yourself. Again, much easier to complain. Lincolnites (especially the retirees, which are too much of the population here) are so afraid of change. Omaha grows by leaps and bounds, mostly because they don't have all the elderly there wanting 1950 to come back again... "

 Llama show wrote on September 24, 2007 9:32 am:
" Who cares about the county? They didn’t consider the City when they rammed a Llama expansion at the event center. "

 BB wrote on September 24, 2007 10:09 am:
" Something HAS to be done about Pershing, went to Pink Floyd Exp. this week end had to park 20 blocks away great show but small crowd which from talking to friends is partly because of the parking and traffic mess. The new areana would be a perfect place for shows of this type, as long as parking and traffic are a consideration when building. "

 CAP wrote on September 24, 2007 11:50 am:
" I think this is rediculous, that we cram sonething else down town, why do we continually pour money into downtown lincoln, no parking, no room, i wont go there, we already have a great spot, at the Lancaster event center, make it there plenty of parking and room, close to interstate for access, but wait this makes to much sense for this city, totally rediculious. "

 For the Arena wrote on September 24, 2007 1:35 pm:
" My question is why is the whole area being considered? From the pictures in the paper the mission and the junk yard are not included in the blight. What sense does that make? I would think that if we were going to redevelop the area those properties would have to be considered, wouldn’t they? Who in their right mind is going to build a hotel next to the city mission? Before I get barraged with I hate poor people complaints I am just stating the obvious, why would we invest millions of dollars improving the area when we wouldn’t do the whole thing? There could be benefits for everybody involved, take the mission for example, why couldn’t the old hotel located out by the airport be renovated and house a new and improved facility? They would surely double their capacity yet having new and updated digs. Whitehead oil could be the corporate sponsor and put up one of those fancy stations like they have on north 27th. The junk yard could get exclusive towing rights. Possibilities are endless, but in my opinion lets not waste the resources if we are going to half the job. "

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