Clock ticking on State Fair decision
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BY ART HOVEY / Lincoln Journal Star
The vision of quarter horses wheezing toward the finish line in a long-distance race meant for thoroughbreds seemed apt Wednesday.
Do state senators have the stamina to reach a conclusion about the future of State Fair Park in the 2008 legislative session?
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Prospects for fairgrounds horse racing were among many unresolved issues as the Legislature’s Agriculture Committee ended an executive session without advancing a bill that would keep the fair where it is or turn its home into a University of Nebraska research park.
Committee Chairman Phil Erdman of Bayard sounded optimistic about a pre-adjournment decision at several points in an hour-long session, but the clock and calendar were also clearly on his mind on Day 35 of a 60-day session.
“Reasonably, we’ve got this week and probably most of next week” to get some sort of solution advanced to the full Legislature, Erdman said.
“We’ve got a little more time,” he said, “but I’m running out of patience with folks who don’t want to be willing partners.”
That was a reference not to his fellow committee members, but to the possibility of the future of the fair and the fairgrounds being resolved through negotiation by vested interests.
Even on the committee there was no sign of consensus taking shape a week and a day after its members heard testimony on five fair-related bills.
Omaha Sen. Don Preister continued to criticize the State Fair Board for failing to create a big-picture vision for the future.
“I’d like to see more of a Disneyland approach,” Preister said.
Counterpart Norm Wallman of Cortland said access for future fair goers would be much better in the area of 84th Street and Havelock Avenue and the Lancaster Event Center than at State Fair Park. And nevermind about possible drainage issues that came up at last week’s hearing.
“A lot of developers build in the floodplain all the time,” Wallman said.
Sen. Annette Dubas of Fullerton credited Grand Island with “an awesome job of presenting,” as community leaders there promote their town as another alternative.
Sought out later Wednesday, Lynne McNally-Schuller said 84th Street and prospects for a mile-long race track remain the most appealing option to the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.
If the fair goes to Grand Island, Lincoln is without a horse-racing venue, said McNally-Schuller, executive director of the horsemen's group.
“They’re a big percentage of the racing market in Nebraska. And if we lose the Lincoln market, then horse racing is in trouble.”
As Erdman’s committee tried to close in on a recommendation, it looked over a March 3 letter offered by Tonn Ostergard on behalf of the 2015 Vision group and Friends of Innovation Park and meant to enhance the 84th Street appeal.
Much of the letter was devoted to assurances that drainage issues could be resolved there and to doubts about the fair board’s estimates of the cost of moving the fair to the 84th and Havelock location.
The board has said it would cost more to go there than to renovate State Fair Park or to move the fair to Grand Island.
The Lincoln move is actually cheaper, Ostergard’s letter said.
“When presented fairly and objectively, the 84th and Havelock location is a very compelling location for the State Fair.”
Sen. Cap Dierks of Ewing said he’s left wondering who’s got the right numbers.
“I’m back at square one,” Dierks said. “Where is the truth?”
Reach Art Hovey at 473-7223 or ahovey@journalstar.com.
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john wrote on March 5, 2008 8:53 pm:
whatever wrote on March 5, 2008 9:47 pm:
Ricky wrote on March 5, 2008 11:07 pm:
I never heard that before.
That is not true is it?
Ricky From Omaha "
Sally wrote on March 5, 2008 11:21 pm:
Why all the debate???? wrote on March 6, 2008 7:35 am:
In a lot of ways they already are...what with this committee and that study group and this consultant. Who pays for all of that??? THE TAXPAYER!!!!! STOP talking already and make a DECISION!!!! Surely it can't be THAT hard!!!!! "
yes wrote on March 6, 2008 7:58 am:
Senator Philip Erdman wrote on March 6, 2008 9:19 am:
If the fair moves - and if it moves out of Lincoln - horseracing will stay in Lincoln at some location. "
NE Resident wrote on March 6, 2008 11:01 am:
Joe wrote on March 6, 2008 11:44 am:
Keep the fair near the population centers and it can succeed. Move it away???
This iS not a movie---"Build it and They will Come" "Field of Dreams was not dealing with $4.00 gas. The reality is: Move the fair away from the majority of the population, and they will NOT come. Ask around, you will find this to be true. "
roger wrote on March 6, 2008 12:42 pm:
AB wrote on March 6, 2008 12:49 pm:
Dan Reisdorff wrote on March 6, 2008 2:28 pm:
Sam wrote on March 6, 2008 5:49 pm:
Ignored Fair Exhibitor wrote on March 6, 2008 7:54 pm:
“After moving between Nebraska City, Brownville, Lincoln and Omaha, in 1901 the Legislature selected Lancaster County Fairgrounds as the permanent site for the annual Nebraska State Fair”
“With a history older than the state itself, the Nebraska State Fair combines tradition with innovation to produce an educational and exciting event for the entire family.”
“Those before us saw the Nebraska State Fair as a worthwhile investment by pursuing a permanent site and continuing the tradition.”
Just because the University refuses to consider any other alternate sites for their “innovation”, doesn’t mean that the State Fair should have to give up its historic home after 106 years. After all how would the University feel if the tables were turned and they were being “asked” to leave their historic home of more than hundred years? For over 100 years both University and the State Fair have been able to coexist and grow in Lincoln, why not now?
"