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Moving to next phase on State Fair

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Monday, Feb 04, 2008 - 12:22:21 am CST

Without anyone really saying so, discussion on the future of the Nebraska State Fair seems to have moved to a new phase.

At the Legislature and elsewhere, decision-makers are no longer spending much time discussing whether the fair should move. The operative question now is where.

Majority opinion apparently has coalesced; the best use of the present fairgrounds is as a research park adjacent to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The Nebraska State Fair Board seems to understand that. Board member Tam Allan said this week described the current state of affairs as a shotgun marriage, but said the stalemate is over.

Now would be a good time for the board to sketch out with more clarity a vision of what sort of a state fair would best serve Nebraska in the 21st century.

The vision would help guide decisions on where the fair should be located.

Perhaps the board could start with the consultants’ master plan study completed last year by HOK Smith Forkner and Economics Research Associates.

The study refers to a “hypothetical fairgrounds model” that would include a 13-acre midway, 15,000 parking stalls, 300-500 horse stalls 150,000 square feet of indoor exhibition space and 300,000 square feet of outdoor exhibition space.

The hypothetical model calls for a fairground of 450-acres compared to the current fairgrounds of 251 acres. “The hypothetical fairgrounds model has the potential to achieve a level of financial performance for the fair and non-fair event activities that is much stronger than the performance with facilities that currently exist at Fairgrounds Park,” the report states.

The consultants’ report also suggests that the success of the state fair depends on market factors such as the number of people living within 30 miles and the number of hotel and motel rooms within five miles of the fairgrounds.

In some respects, the hypothetical model might be considered an unattainable ideal, but perhaps it could be used as a yardstick for measuring new locations.

By fine-tuning its vision of the fair, perhaps developing a set of alternative scenarios or hypothetical models of how the state fair could be reinvented at a new location, the fair board would make a valuable contribution to the next phase of discussion.

Nebraskans want both the state fair and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to succeed.

That means adapting to changing times.

Initially the consultants’ report was used by decision-makers as they weighed the positives and negatives of ousting the fair to make way for the research park.

It also could be a resource for planning now that discussion of the fair’s future apparently has reached the stage that a move seems inevitable.


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Truth is out there wrote on February 4, 2008 7:36 am:
" Shotgun wedding. Private interests pushing state interests around. It sounds like the taxpayers are going to pay to pay the bill again. Once to rebuild the state fair into an innovation park. A second time to build anew state fair. Wouldn't it make more sense to put the Innovation Park somewhere else so that we are not having to build something twice. Not as much concrete poured but it would seem to save the taxpayers $100 million that could better be spent elsewhere.

They will close the fair and it will never reopen. That is the dirty little secret that no one is talking about.

The paper writes that this is finished. The bills need to leave the committee and be voted on by the legislature and since it is a constitutional change it will have to be voted on by all the people in the state. Lots to work on before this is done. "
Ghost wrote on February 4, 2008 8:13 am:
" And who is going to pay for all of this? And I hope that they don't think it will be the tax payers. I think it should be those Legislature people, the Vision 2015 Group and the University. "
BYOB wrote on February 4, 2008 8:28 am:
" The stalemate is over, have a vision of what you want.
Here's my vision, a bunch of ugly metal buildings with no caricture, no history, plenty of mud and rocks, an unimpressive food area that's hard for seniors and handicap people to access, forced on the people of this state by a group of good ole boys that know what's best for the people of this state without even the common courtesy of asking them.
The way things are done here in Lincoln makes this question come to my mind, when are we going to sell off or give away Pioneer Park?, seems like nothing is sacred, not even a person's home, if the city or state wants it, they just take it in the name of changing times and progress. For a State that is big business unfriendly and loseing jobs for it's people by the hundreds every month, how can we expect hotel, motel and food establishments to have any interest in a new state fair area?, or do you all think, build it and they will come? I can't wait to see the egg on your faces after this one, I am no consultant but if I'm right, the new fair will run in the red for at least 20 years at we the tax payers expense and
If you think that University or state money to be earmarked for this venture are different, you are wrong, it is all we the peoples hard earned money.
O.M.G, I have a vision, build it by Haymarket park and make Jon Camp's realestate holdings worth even more money. "
john wrote on February 4, 2008 8:48 am:
" Not so fast. I don't think that this is going to pass. I for one can not afford this development, and neither can the state with out raising taxes.
The University doesnt take care of the facilities they have now, and they want more?
A 2015 / Harvey dream. "
ted wrote on February 4, 2008 9:41 am:
" Nothing but critics on this one; The problem was engendered when the county fair and state fair broke up. Move the state fair to Grand Island, use the Harvest Days facilities. Get on with it. It's 2008, not 1948. "
they don't want it wrote on February 4, 2008 10:51 am:
" Husker Harvest has clearly stated several times they do not want the state fair at their facility, they flat out have no interest and I don't blame them. They have a successful event now, why add a losing venture? "
Helen wrote on February 4, 2008 10:53 am:
" Majority opinion? When did the people of Nebraska have the opportunity to vote? I don't believe most Nebraskans want to trade the lovely historic home of the fair for a new site like 84th & Havelock Ave. Trade gorgeous terrain with lovely shade trees and buildings with character for a flat, treeless, often muddy landscape filled with efficient but ugly steel buildings with 84th Street being the only way in and out? Trade the current accessibility where some, like University students, can walk in to a location which requires a car? Those who want the State Fair to move, including your newspaper, have done a good job of changing the question from "if" to "where". But, the question remains...who is going to pay for moving the State Fair? Unless the voters of Nebraska vote to relocate the Fair, I don't believe they should be saddled with the debt of doing so. Surely the University and 2015 Vision group can find many other locations in Lincoln to put their research facilities. "
Joe wrote on February 4, 2008 11:08 am:
" The tactics used to oust the fair from its historic home are less than admirable. The university gives the impression of "I'm, big and powerful and I'll have my way". The Vision group does not set well with many, giving the impression that they are running things, not local government. So I can see what is fueling the controversy. We can debate pros and cons all day but the question at hand seems to be: What do we want the fair to be and where do we want it to be. Executive Director Cosner has made no secret of his intentions to have the fair offer "edutainment '. I take that to mean the fair can be a place for both rural and urban people to come and be entertained, but at the same time to be educated. The urbanites are given the opportunity to learn about the rural side of Nebraska. Exhibits provide information about our food production and urban people are given the opportunity to view the various livestock exhibits, something that is not available to them during the rest of the year.Rural fairgoers are able to view exhibits of an urban nature and learn what is taking place in the urban areas of the state. So if this is the purpose of the fair, where should it be held? In my opinion, it needs to be located so that that the most populated areas of the state have easy access. This ensures good attendance and a greater degree of success. If the fair is re-located to a more rural area, it becomes just another glorified "farm show" and would not attract the interest of the urban areas of the state. It would then not be able to provide the edutainment as envisioned by Executive Director Cosner. In summary, the rural and urban interests would not be brought together. Lincoln would seem to be a location which could accomplish this goal, as many rural people attend the fair and enjoy the visit to Lincoln. Yet, Lincoln is close to the urban population center which provides the urban people the access to the "edutainment". The financing of all this will be left to others, and the taxpayers do not want to be saddled with more taxes. So it seems that the financing needs to be addressed before any decisions to move are finalized. These are just my humble opinions to be shared with others, but I believe these factors are important in any discussion of the fair.Others will add their opinions and that is fine. Perhaps a resolution of the controversy will be a combination of all these opinions and not just some "knee jerk reaction". "
Senator Philip Erdman wrote on February 4, 2008 11:38 am:
" With all due respect to the Editorial Board, the decision has not been made to move the fair.

The question (Should the Fair Move?) is yet to be answered - in spite of the wishful thinking of some. There are many questions to be answered which are similar to some of those who which are posted on this page.

The discussions between the parties are about what the options may be if that decision is made. The Fair is willing to stay and the Fair is willing to move. That question must be answered this year and it has not been answered yet.

I encourage all interested Nebraskans to attend the public hearing on February 26th at 1:30 pm at the Capitol.

To read the reports of the committee, please visit: http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/web/public/agriculture "
Keep Fair at Current Site! wrote on February 4, 2008 12:33 pm:
" Thank you Senator Erdman for your comments. We need the Legislature to have an open mind on this issue. How can the decision be made to move the Fair when the Consultants that the Agricultural Committee of the Legislature hired came back and said that it would cost $175 million to move the Fair and only $30 million to keep it where it is. The answer here is oblivous, it is to keep the Fair where it is. This is the optimal solution, both economically and historically. There are not any other states who have moved their historic State Fair's in recent history. Why should one instutition (the University) force another instutition (the State Fair) out of their location? If the so-called powers that be want the Fair out, who is going to pay to move it? Are these powers that be going to give the Fair $175 million? So far I have not seen that. I suspect that these powers that be want this ground (The State Fairgrounds) for free. Then look at how rich they can become. This is a very sad commentary on our State, on our history, and on our heritage. The idea of this innovation park can be built anywhere. What guarantee do we have that these big businesses will come to Lincoln? The Gall-up Organization even moved to Omaha. We should not even consider moving the Fair without a tremendous more information and details. I submit if the people knew the cost of this proposal to the taxpayer they would vote to keep the Fair where it is. I pray the the Legislature will take a step back and look at what the people want. What the true Nebraskans want, and not what the powers that be want. Keep the Fair at the Current Location!!! "
Move it please! wrote on February 4, 2008 12:38 pm:
" I strongly urge the Legislature to do the right think for Lincoln and the State and move the Fair, and let UNL build the research park there. We can't let a few elderly people stuck in 1950 stop this. I'm greatful for the 2015 Vision Group and UNL for getting the ball rolling on this to finally bring some progress to Lincoln and the State. A down-sized Fair located near Lincoln-Omaha seems appropriate, given recent attendance. "
not again wrote on February 4, 2008 1:38 pm:
" well, people your voice will not be heard on this. The wealthy and government who caters to them will decide for you. I for one will have my house on the market by friday. I am tired of the tax increases and utility increases and having nothing to show for it. Many things have been started and now sit. The schools have been run by wealthy who happen to be good ole boys. I only hope vision 2015 bankrupts the city and the state because I am going further than the state line. I know a lot of people say good riddance, but, I just don't make enough to stay or heaven forbid retire. "
suggest wrote on February 4, 2008 2:28 pm:
" Just like gambling I believ this issue should be taken to the voters of the whole state. To decide not just a few!!! "
whatever wrote on February 4, 2008 5:35 pm:
" Nebraska's political and business community should be very careful and very honest in how this whole thing is settled. There are many people watching how ethically and honestly this is being handled. Journal Star you should be very wary when submitting editorials like this. Lincoln's viability as a city is DEPENDENT on your good neighbors to east and all of your rural Nebraska neighbors. Fueling the fire on a subject where many already believe the process has been corrupted by unethical individuals and groups will in the long run hurt your "ambitious" plans. "
Sorry wrote on February 4, 2008 7:54 pm:
" Sen. Erdrman, not all of the tax paying folks can get off work to go to your hearing. I cannot afford this move and neither can UNL ,or the state, or the city of Lincoln. Set aside this proposal for 5 years when Harvey P,and the 2015 group is gone and we will talk again. "
Successful Tech Park wrote on February 4, 2008 10:58 pm:
" Put it in Omaha next to Gallup across the river from Google, within 20 minutes of Paypal and Ameritrade. I have got to believe that more companies would be interested in locating their R&D near UNMC and adjacent to someof the other hot development. "
EHP wrote on February 5, 2008 12:30 am:
" Moving the State Fair & Laying out the grounds for an R & D park, necessary will involve a lot of money changing hands. Not surprisingly, where public dollars are involved, the usual list of suspects in Lincoln are lined up. But that in itself does not make this a bad idea. Even a clock gets the number right twice a day.

For starters, rebuilding the Nebrask State Capital's deteriorating core city neighborhoods cannot make sustainable progress if government in general, and UNL in particular, continues to look at them as unfunded land banks, and 'anything goes'cheap housing for their clients.

Next, co-location of research oriented higher education with private sector R & D, can be an advantage to both, though it is not a guarantee of the success of either. Lincoln has enough disadvantages for the development of technological enterprises, not the least of which is its confiscatory preponderance of government relative to the private sector, that we really are not in a position to be spotting points to our competition in Global commerce.

The unsustainable growth in proportion of Lancaster County real estate that is off the tax roles can and should be addressed by this project, and complementary lower tech industrial parks spread around the city. For example out where there was a Sandoz, and a HiGain Antenna, there could have also been an IBM had our 'leadership' not run them off. "
corporate welfare wrote on February 5, 2008 6:16 am:
" An innovation park, right. The citizens of Nebraska pay for a research park so that corporations can get highly skilled labor on the cheap, take the benefits of the innovations to add to increase rewards to senior management first and maybe shareholder later, all without having to pay for infrastructure. We pay the expense and they reap the profits. Stop the insanity. "
BOO-HOO wrote on February 5, 2008 8:46 am:
" SENATOR PHIL ERDMAN obviously is a nice and trusting guy just trying to fix things, do some collateral damage control and calm folks down a bit.
We the people don't believe in the tooth fairy, samta clause or the Burnuda triangle so just save it Dr. Phil because we all know the state fair is going by the way side, we've lived in Lincoln too long to think there is a possibility that the city and state would listen to the people. L.J.S's editorial was above all, informative and
telling it the way they see it, no-one's jumping the gun because we all know it's done, sorry, you're the only one with blinders on here. "
Scott wrote on February 5, 2008 10:59 am:
" This illustrates the very dysfunctional political environment we are in in this town. The horsemen: State government, the University's flagship campus, the city, and the county. Who's going to win the race to determine what big projects happen? The horses: a potential arena, the fair, a jail, and a research park. I say, give each body a project and a budget and let them find their own solution. Oh, and let the budget for each be NOT funded by a bond initiative, or lump all the bonds into one and force them to fight their way to equity. "
The State Fair is Dying! wrote on February 5, 2008 11:46 am:
" The State Fair is Dying, everyone who has half an ounce of brain knows this. I haven't been to the fair for 8 years, you know why? Because it has absolutely nothing to offer me. I say we just kill off the fair. Let the State Fair sell it's grounds to UNL and with the money they get, if there's enough then they can rebuild it where they want. If there's not enough money...then we have the funeral for an already dying State Fair. I would love to see a R&D complex somewhat close to downtown. We need jobs here people, desperately. Losing Gallup really hurt Lincoln. Not even being considered for Paypal, Ameritrade, Google, etc. is really hurting Lincoln. Why is it that the laws we have in place in this city/state make it impossible to grab decent companies? WE NEED THIS R&D FACILITY, WE DON'T NEED THE STATE FAIR. "
Patrick M. Shea wrote on February 5, 2008 2:31 pm:
" Move the Fair to Columbus. Centrally located in the East, close enough to the West, close enough to Omaha and Lincoln. Already has a horse track. Columbus would make a great location for the Fair. Quite playing games and move it to Columbus. "
Jack wrote on February 5, 2008 9:04 pm:
" Frankly, I don't care what they do with the state fair!
Dump it in the river for all I care. Keep raising the taxes, I'm moving out of this state as well as 3 other
people IN MY BLOCK. A Democrat gets in for President and
up goes the federal taxes too, and I cannot afford anymore
taxes here. This town has done NOTHING to build it for
jobs from business & industry and can't understand why
all the young move out after graduation! Yep Lincoln is
burying itself big time. "
The Omega Man wrote on February 5, 2008 10:00 pm:
" The Journal Star is about the last place one could expect a serious call for "...adapting to changing times". Lincoln is probably one of the worst examples of adapting or in being proactive. And the Journal Star has been a consistent advocate of the Bush administration and the Republican Status Quo. "
Karon Harvey wrote on February 6, 2008 11:44 am:
" Families from Western and Central Nebraska cannot attend the State Fair because our schools start in August. If schools would start after Labor Day and if State Fair would adjust its dates, Nebraska families could again attend State Fair and visit the Capitol on Labor-Day family vacations "
Reply wrote on February 7, 2008 8:27 am:
" Reply to State Fair is Dying. How would you know since you have not attended the Fair in the last 8 years? Over 45 states have a State Fair. All Agricultural States have a State Fair. Nebraska always has been and always will be an Agricultural State. Agriculture is our number one industry. The State Fair is the place to show case our agricultural products for all residents of the state to see. The State Fair belongs in Lincoln, which is close to the population center of the state. No other states have moved their State Fairs in years. Please look at other State Fairs and you will see they have been at their respective locations for over 100 years. The oldest building on the Iowa State Fair grounds was built in 1886. I know that the Minnesota, Ohio, and Illinois State Fairs have buildings over 100 years old. Are we saying that Nebraskans do not have this same heritage and sense of historical worth? I believe true Nebraskans want to preserve our current State Fair at the current location. We need to preserve our remaining historic buildings, like the Industrial Arts Building (built in 1913) and the 4-H Building (built in 1930). The University proposal, if it is really feasible, can be built anywhere. It does not have to be built on land that is already used for another purpose. What gives one institution (the University) the right to take another institution's (State Fair) land? I think the University is completely out of line on this proposal. Perlman is not in touch with the true Nebraskan's ideals. This was quite evident in the football fiasco. I hope the Legislature has enough sense to stop this proposal and save the taxpayer a ton of money. Remember that the consultants that were hired by the Agricultural Committee said it would cost $175 million to move the Fair, but only $30 million to fix it where it is. The decision is obvious, keep the Fair where it is. This is the most optimal decision both economically and historically. "
Dan Reisdorff wrote on February 7, 2008 11:07 am:
" Senator Erdman "beat me to the punch" with his letter in todays LJS regarding the LJS Monday editorial about the Nebraska State Fair. Talk about getting the chart before the horse! Even if this horse had 20/20 vision, he would not be able to even see the cart, because it is so far away. I suggest that LJS do it's homework before offering opinions. It would appear that you only consulted with your "neighbor" to the immediate northeast. "
Me wrote on April 1, 2008 12:27 pm:
" According to the amended bill LLB 1116 funding will come from the following sources toward the estimated $42 million dollar construction; $21.5 million from the University, $8.5 million from Grand Island fund raising efforts, $7 million from the state fair board, and $5 million from the states cash reserve.

This is a great opportunity develop a fresh approach to the state fair. Grand Island has done their work to present a good plan of action. "

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