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Public invited to weigh in on arena plans

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BY DEENA WINTER / Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, Apr 17, 2008 - 12:32:30 am CDT

If the city decides to build a new arena west of the Haymarket — along with a bunch of other stuff — what guiding design principles should it abide by?

That’s what the public is invited to help determine during a community open house today.

The city has hired Sinclair Hille Architects to come up with design goals for the arena environs, and they’re seeking Lincolnites’ help.

Story Photo
An example of an arena that has been built recently is the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Va.

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The public is invited to help the city set design principles for the proposed arena project. The open house is today from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Ridnour Room, 809 P St., in the Haymarket.

Which undoubtedly raises some questions, such as:

Why is the city hiring an architect to do all this when voters haven’t even approved a new arena yet?

The city is spending $1.2 million of its own money — and has been promised $1.65 million in 2015 Vision money — to conduct studies of the area so officials have accurate data and a vision for the project to help voters decide whether to proceed. They intend to do 15 percent to 30 percent of the design and engineering work.

What’s the point of this open house?

Rather than come up with plans for what the arena and surrounding area would look like and then asking the community what it thinks, the city wants the community to be a part of the decision-making.

So what is it I’d be doing if I go to this open house?

You will see lots of examples of design concepts the city could incorporate into this project. Sinclair Hille, the city’s consultant, has come up with proposed design “values” that you are invited to comment on.

What kind of feedback do they want?

They want your input on how the whole 400-acre area should develop. For example, how big should the buildings be? Should on-street parking be allowed?  What kind of building materials should be used? Should the arena and convention hotel mimic other Haymarket buildings? Should the project have creature comforts such as radiant heat under canopies and heated sidewalks? How should they screen the wind?

What’s the city’s inclination so far?

So far, city officials have indicated they don’t want to try to reproduce the Haymarket, but respect what the Haymarket is and allow the arena area to have its own identity. The two should be stitched together, in the words of city officials.

How much is the city paying Sinclair Hille to come up with design principles?

$225,000.

What will happen once the design principles are determined?

They will be vetted by an Urban Design Committee and Historic Preservation Committee and taken back to the West Haymarket Action Team, a private-public arena committee, likely in May.

When and where is this open house?

Today from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Ridnour Room, 809 P St., in the Haymarket.

Where can I get more information or offer input online?

Go to the city Web site at lincoln.ne.gov and type in the search bar “whatdesign.” Comments are being solicited there.

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


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Just Me wrote on April 17, 2008 8:55 am:
" Yes...you'll see examples and hear explanations of what could "possibly" be done. But when it comes right down to it. What the public says doesn't matter in this city or state. The powers that be will do what THEY want and whatever will line their OWN pockets. What people think in this "Good Ol' Boy" town makes no difference in the decision making process. And if you think it does then you aren't living in Lincoln are you??? "
tom b wrote on April 17, 2008 9:10 am:
" if you think the voters are going to decide you are crazy...
its already decided...whether you like it or not... "
Isotope wrote on April 17, 2008 9:12 am:
" With all the money being poured into this, it sure seems like a done deal. Is the city honestly going to walk away from its $1.2 million dollar investment if residents say they don't want the arena? Yeah...right. "
The cityies money? wrote on April 17, 2008 9:28 am:
" When they say that the City is spending $1.2 million of its own money, Just where do they think they get that money? How out of touch is this government? "
former lincoln resident wrote on April 17, 2008 10:24 am:
" Have fun paying for this. Raise your taxes again and see more people leave the city, "
Amazed wrote on April 17, 2008 10:29 am:
" The city is spending all this money and think the people are so stupid to think they have a vote. Give me a break Just like the State fair, it is a done deal. Some rich old goat's got to get his name on something. Of course it is at the expense of the tax payer in 60g1nthis busted economy. "
Exactly wrote on April 17, 2008 1:36 pm:
" City money? Does this stuff grow on trees? Is this the same city who is cutting park budgets because it doesn't have any money? I see a huge problem with wasting $1.2 million on a project to jam down our throat. It sure is nice to know that construction companies and businesses down in the Haymarket are going to get rich off of this "entertainment" scheme. I am tired of screw the little guy mentality while the "fat cats" keep finding new ways to take our money. "
Not again wrote on April 17, 2008 3:40 pm:
" Hogwash. Its already planned. Now, as usual they put the nicetities with
whip cream on top for ya. $1.2million of the "city's money" shows how
dumb they think we are! Just like moving the fair, sure wasn't any
consideration on that. With all the businesses gettin' out, the city just
doesn't seem to get it. "
O. Stone wrote on April 17, 2008 3:41 pm:
" This is a plot put forward by the Tri-Lateral Commission, the Communists, and the Neo-John Birch Society. Those infidels! Face it, people: they run this country. You don't know the half of it. Steve Pederson is also involved. He's using the money UNL paid him to buy out his contract to finance this whole deal. Revenge is SO sweet! "
Billy Bob wrote on April 17, 2008 6:37 pm:
" Does the City really want input? Then why such a short notice of the display? Hours from 4 till 7 , I work untill 6 or 6:30. WHO does the City want input from, Not me Yep, this is a done deal but if I get a chance to vote, my vote will be NO. "
Agree wrote on April 17, 2008 9:44 pm:
" My vote is no, too. But brace yourself for the big sell - being told how little itty bitty us can be a big city and how we are underprivileged. "
Yes Yes a thousand times Yes wrote on April 18, 2008 10:25 am:
" I'll vote an overwhelming YES for this project as I'm sure most will too. We want Lincoln to move forward, not be stagnant or fall further behind. Thank goodness there are a lot of similar people in Lincoln and this will pass easily.

Missouri, Florida and Arizona are calling a lot you...better answer quickly cuz this train is moving on!!! "
cheated wrote on April 18, 2008 12:36 pm:
" This is a real scam, and should not be allowed. We will all pay dearly for this and the whole thing will fold in a couple of years "
Hold it wrote on April 18, 2008 1:12 pm:
" I thought the city was short on funds to the tune of 6 million, yet we have 1 million to spend on this type of thing. Hmmm!!
Wonder why this is being held on a Friday afternoon and late even, with very little notice and the notice that is sent is so remote that one would need to be an investigator to find it. Wow! hope the profits from this venture are as hidden as the explaination and the information about these types of meetings. Feel a little left out and put upon, with a little distrust felt toward the people who are doing this. It might be a little easier to accept if this stuff wasn't so obviously placed where the general population only reads about it after the fact. This is a little like the public school holding a bond issue vote on Valentines day and knowing that only those in support will attend and vote. Hmmm!!! miffed. "

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