Now
A Few Clouds
82.0°
High
82°
Low
61°
Full Forecast

Coupon

Jobs

Cars

Homes

Rentals

Alerts

Subscribe
Home > News > Local
Bookmark Us   •   Make Us Your Homepage

Pershing opens doors, invites public to take a look

Comments 19 comment(s)  
E-mail Story E-mail Story
Print Story Print Story
Share  Share
Text Size: 
Tools Sponsor

BY DEENA WINTER / Lincoln Journal Star

Friday, Oct 19, 2007 - 11:57:26 am CDT

In the years before Lincolnites decided to build Pershing Auditorium, there was plenty of debate over whether it was in the right place and whether it was the right thing to do.

On Thursday, the 50-year-old gray lady now called Pershing Center swung her doors open and invited the public in to help decide whether it’s time to replace her with a newer model.

Something more on the scale of the Omaha Qwest Center or the elaborate John Paul Jones Arena in Virginia.

Story Photo
Pershing Auditorium

Related Media

A tour of Pershing Auditorium

As discussion about a proposed new arena heats up, take a tour of the day-to-day issues facing Pershing Auditorium. (Anthony Roberts / JournalStar.com...

Comments: 0
Rated:

Something with almost all available options.

That’s what city officials, an arena promotion group and the 2015 Vision group of business leaders invited the community to consider during two open houses Thursday.

An estimated 350 people attended the two open houses.

They showed a promotional video featuring arena boosters and the mayor. They invited people to ask questions and get answers from “experts” in four sections anchoring the Pershing floor.

And they took people on tours of Pershing so they could see for themselves outdated dressing rooms, inadequate restrooms and dimensions that squeeze out an increasing number of events.

Pershing can seat 6,000 people, 7,700 in some cases. Supporters say they envision a new arena seating up to 15,000.

Guys like Ralph Hayden came, and asked questions about public transportation to the proposed arena and the wisdom of building it in a flood plain.

He’s lived in Lincoln since 1971, so he wasn’t around for the last debate, but this time he supports the idea.

“We need to do something but we cannot mimic Omaha because they’re so much larger,” Hayden said.

But he thinks supporters want to squeeze the arena into too small an area west of the Haymarket, and he thinks the proposed parking is too far away.

In addition to surface parking and one or two parking garages, arena supporters have talked about a trolley system to take people from downtown parking garages to the arena.

Many attendees had questions about access to the area targeted for an arena. They questioned whether the proposed road enhancements, primarily to Sun Valley Boulevard, would be adequate.

In one corner of Pershing on Thursday, City Finance Director Don Herz fielded questions about how the estimated $244 million hotel, convention center, arena and parking garages would be financed.

He said supporters would try to avoid funding the project with property taxes, but some combination of other types of taxes is unavoidable.

He said one of the most significant one-time revenue sources would be private donations, for example, from the Vision 2015 group, which has identified the arena as one of 10 pillars it wants the community to build.

The first open house attracted a lot of businessmen, and a few young people — people supporters hope to keep in Lincoln with an arena.

Ryan Polak, 21, didn’t like what he was seeing. He said it’s too late for Lincoln to try to catch up to Omaha’s Qwest Center, and he suspects many Vision 2015 members will benefit from the project. He’d rather see Lincoln get its budget problems under control and improve its streets.

He was joined in opposition by Boyd Ready, who lived in Kearney for 34 years and moved to Lincoln three years ago. He hopes the arena doesn’t become the financial albatross the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument did for Kearney.

He thinks Lincoln would be better off fixing its streets and creating major thoroughfares through town.

As one opponent of the arena questioned the wisdom and environmental obstacles of the project, she was reminded by Assistant Planning Director Kent Morgan that Lincoln residents went through similar debates in the 1930s — but ultimately decided to tax themselves to pay for Pershing.

And within a few years of the Pershing opening, people were singing its praises.

Now it’s time to decide whether it’s time for the fat lady to sing.

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


$1 Sunday Delivery - Subscribe Today!
Local > Back to Top of Story

Post Your Comment

Standards and Rules
All posts to JournalStar.com are subject to our Terms and Standards.
Your posted comment will appear after it has been approved.
Frequently asked questions about story commenting.
(optional)
   
Hide Comments Hide Comments   Newest First Newest First  
elaine jones wrote on October 19, 2007 4:11 am:
" i think that the city needs to take care of its obligations and the budget deficiate first and then worry about the pershing center or visions 2015. we have already cut personel that was working for the city and i think it is an outrage to think of spending 244 million dollars on this bldg and not the citizens that live here and buy here already. the roads need work and the schools need supplies and teachers and extra programs that could better suit the community. so take of the dadgum kid gloves and face reality "
Mike in DC wrote on October 19, 2007 7:21 am:
" Why not build it near the current Pershing? At least on the East side of downtown? It's not like, in REAL terms that still wouldn't be close to the Haymarket, downtown resturants and hotels. Better Access to 'O' street, links to 27th and 9th. Think about Denver, the venues are all close, but NOT right on top of one another. I'd keep the Haymarket the destination that it already is, keep room for it to add things, and the conf hotel would still be a short shuttle/bus ride (really, walking distance unless you're disabled) to Devaney, Memorial Stadium, Haymarket, UNL Campus, Downtown, the Roccoco, Lied, the new Antelope creek park/easement walk/bikepaths. The flood and infrastructure improvements will have already been made and nothing in the haymarket or rail yard has to be moved. Maybe make some synergy with the 'P' Street marketplace on the east side of downtown to give the conference/event guests more choices. Speaking from someone who travels for business, I don't want to be cramped up in a corner of a new city; and to be honest, the Haymarket will lose the appeal it has for many residents of the city. But the city and university would benefit greatly by a downtown conference center and additional buisness hotel. "
Dano wrote on October 19, 2007 7:58 am:
" I attened the event. I was informative to me. My biggest fear is that it gets poorly managed and becomes a drag on the local budget and economy. I am in those families that are on the fence on Lincoln these days. I have lived here my entire 32 years and the last few years haven't gone very well when it comes to employment opportunities for us. There are a lot of small companies or hard to get into companies. Competition for a quality job in your field is sometimes hard to come by. I know this promotes growth but fear it will get skipped over for bigger venues.that being said, I like the options of A and B. I think that C and D create a cramped and clogging feel. A nd B offer an expandalbe future where C and D might put the city in a crunch if it needs to grow the area more. I hope they do another of these in the future as they progress on decisions. I would say i was against the Haymarket plan, but now I am not nearly strong in that stance. Again, it is all on how it is managed and used. If we build and nothing goes on it, then doesn't do much other than waste money. The only thing I didn't get out of the presentation was what the plans for Perhing were giong to be. Are they going to tear that down for more commercial space, rebuild it for additional convention center space, leave it as is, or something else? "
russell wrote on October 19, 2007 8:25 am:
" I think everyone will agree that this would be a good idea but the problem is deciding where is the best place to put the city's limited resources. Conventions brings money that is capatured by the chain hotels & bars or restaurants which barely pay living wage. The university research corridor will operate 24/7, pay a very good wage plus there is the potential of spin off business. I vote for research! "
Hattie wrote on October 19, 2007 9:13 am:
" One of the reasons that this place is outdated is the former and current management that wants everything for nothing. The past supers would not pay for anything to maintain the place. Take a look at the plumbing and what a health hazard it is. I don't buy any thing to dring that comes from any of the soda or beer machines. Its filthy and causes illness.! "
This Arena Will Not Happen wrote on October 19, 2007 10:12 am:
" I am in favor of the arena plan, but I can tell you right now that it will not happen in Lincoln. The fact that the mayor said the idea will be put to a vote tells the story. The people of Lincoln complain about everything associated with change and will never approve this arena. Lincoln citizens need to be more progressive in their approach to the city! It is a great idea, but the people will not allow it to happen. "
JCB wrote on October 19, 2007 11:39 am:
" Doing nothing would be a major step backwards. Some of these people think they are going to pay for it all by themselves. We can't have a nice city without paying some tzxes. Mothing is free. "
Nina wrote on October 19, 2007 12:54 pm:
" Replace, no. Update, yes. Last time I was in Pershing it could have used a thorough cleaning. Sticky cement floors in the seating area. Also some interior painting and sprucing up (doesn't it have orange plastic seats?) But other than that, I think it's still a nice building; especially the mosaic on the outside is truly unique and artistic. "
Lisa wrote on October 19, 2007 1:19 pm:
" One thing that would make me feel better with my tax money, is I want to know where ALL tax money goes NOW. Every group. Every person. Are there areas where we can cut back? Does someone reading this know of a website...? "
GFM wrote on October 19, 2007 1:32 pm:
" If an arena is to be built, let's stop thinking about replacing Pershing. Replace both Pershing and Devaney. Build a multi-purpose arena that seats 24,000. Let's not duplicate Qwest's undersizing itself out of major venues like the NCAA Basketball Tournament. Utilize it for Husker BB and VB. Place the arena in the State Fair Park area. Let the State Fair move to Lancaster Event Center or elsewhere. If the city is to do this, let's plan for the next 50 years, not something that will be obsolete before construction begins. "
Just an average citizen wrote on October 19, 2007 1:40 pm:
" Just if they can replace the gestapo-minded security staff from the evants there too! "
JJ wrote on October 19, 2007 2:01 pm:
" I would love to have a new arena and the great entertainment that would be booked in it. I would also love to have a brand new 21 foot Lund bass boat. The problem with each is that at this time neither the city of Lincoln or I can afford either. There are other projects that need to be funded first, just like I have other bills that need to be paid off first. Unfortunately we live in a society that requires instant gradification. This "buy now pay somehow later" won't cut it if we are to maintain or build a strong economy. I'm not against change, but I am against irresponsibility, which at this point is what the arena seems like to me. "
Dumb Choice wrote on October 19, 2007 2:13 pm:
" Why only 15,000 seats? We will not attract any major sporting events like NCAA or the like. They require at least 17,000. So why would we spend the money and not put in the extra 2000 seats? Look at omaha. It did not do that at first, so it had to spend the money to do it later. If we want to attract what Omaha gets, then we need to compete on the same leve. If we are looking for other things that some say Omaha is too big for, then it will never pay for itself. Look at the Mid America Center in Council Bluffs. It is smaller than Qwest, and suffers because of it. Why would an event or concert come to Lincoln when it can sell 3000 more tickets in Omaha and people from Lincoln have proven they will make the drive. "
Jim Otto wrote on October 19, 2007 2:23 pm:
" Mr. Ready doesn't know what he is talking about. The Archway is not a "financial albatross" to Kearney. In fact the opposite is true as the City of Kearney figured out a way to get the benefits of the development with no risk to City coffers. The bonds that financed the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument near Kearney are not gauranteed by the City of Kearney or any government agency. Therefore there is no governmental obligation to repay them. The private sector purchasers of the bonds made a business decision to invest knowing full well that the return of their investment was dependant on the success of the project. Since the number of visitors is not as high as projected, those private sector investors have lost money. The City of Kearney hasn't lost a dime and is receiving the benefits of motel stays, dining, and retail sales brought in by the attraction. "
Nina wrote on October 19, 2007 2:43 pm:
" What I've seen of Pershing's security staff is that they're old retired guys. If you want to see gestapo style, go to the Qwest. After I was barked and growled at for apparently choosing the wrong doorway, I made a point to smile broadly, and say, Thank you, kind sir." "
Built it right wrote on October 19, 2007 2:59 pm:
" Telling that the only two individuals this reporter chose to interview were naysayers. Typical, and telling. As others have mentioned, when we go down this road (and ANYONE with an open mind who visited Pershing recently must realize that we need a new arena in this community) lets do it right, so that we have a building that is both right for the times and the future. That will cost some money, but it will be worth it in the long run. You have to spend money to position yourself for the growth that we will need in the long run to keep our community vital. Start negotiating with the rail roads and the post office! "
Just an average citizen wrote on October 19, 2007 4:58 pm:
" They may be old staffers, as was my case, but the LPD stands extremely firm behind them. Remember when you enter a place like this you loose A LOT OF FREEDOMS! You cannot talk to anyone with a logic head. I will NEVER go to ANY event there. Thank you staffers and LPD "
Charlene wrote on October 19, 2007 7:44 pm:
" Pershing holds a lot of memories for our family. My brother and his girlfriend actually lived there for about three weeks back in the early 70s! They had found a hiding place in a utility room, and stayed there while the building was open for games or other events. After the place was closed, they shot baskets and did as they pleased. They lived off of hotdogs, popcorn, and coke they found in one of the concession stands. The fun ended however, when they were discovered by a night watchman who had responded to some sort of alarm. They were not charged with anything but were asked to leave the building. I guess they'll never forget those 3 weeks! "
Terry wrote on October 20, 2007 7:55 am:
" More smoke and mirrors. You can bet that this is a "done deal" and the taxpayers are gonna get soaked again. At the same time the people pushing it are gonna get even richer. Look at the area that was "blighted" for this project. A brand new ballpark is "blight?" This is just a way to get certain property owners a tax break while they line their pockets. And just wait, it won't be only Lincoln residents who get to pay for it. You can bet that there's going to be several bills pushed through the Legislature that will somehow tax the entire state for this. Sure, the people of Lincoln are going to get to vote, but on what? Since it's going to be built anyway, they probably will get to vote on what color it should be, or something like that. "

Ads by Yahoo!