Fair's move will shape future of Devaney parking
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BY BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star
The Nebraska State Fair’s move to Grand Island in 2010 could mean fewer headaches for Nebraska basketball fans who’ve experienced traffic nightmares and parking problems around the Devaney Sports Center.
That alleviation, however, might come with a price.
Officials say it’s possible that the university, once it takes over the fairgrounds in 2010, will charge for parking at events, including state tournaments at the Devaney Center and Lincoln Stars games at the Ice Box.
A parking fee has been charged for access to some university-owned lots near the Devaney Center for several years, but for decades, parking on the fairgrounds has been free.
Time and patience, however, have come at a cost, especially last season, when construction associated with the Antelope Valley Project further impacted areas surrounding the Devaney Center.
Streets closed. Exits disappeared. Blood pressures rose.
“Two years ago, things were limited,” said Marc Boehm, Nebraska’s assistant AD in charge of basketball. “This past year, things were extremely limited.”
A major source of the problem was construction near the 27th Street entrance that limited access to one lane in and one lane out, said Butch Hug, director of events for Nebraska.
“Twenty-seventh street,” Hug said, “really became a nightmare for us.”
If there were no other events on the fairgrounds, two lanes could be used as exits by closing the incoming route.
“That became a problem,” Hug said, “because there are so many events going on at State Fair Park.
“I don’t anticipate next year being quite as bad. All of those streets they had to tear up, some of those streets are going to be back, and we’ll have access to them this year.”
Hug said he’d have a better picture by late summer, and that season ticket holders will be alerted of the best options for entering and exiting.
“I anticipate next year being considerably better than it was this year,” Hug said. “It’s got to be.”
Antelope Valley construction around the Devaney Center is scheduled for completion by August 2009.
Beginning in 2010, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will turn the current fairgrounds into Innovation Park. Preliminary drawings for the research park include four new parking structures, with multiple paved surface lots, including one north of the Devaney Center, where barns now stand.
A final decision on whether to charge for parking won’t come for several months.
“Our fans have been extremely patient and understanding about the parking difficulties,” Boehm said. “The athletic department will continue to work with the State Fair and city officials to come up with solutions that can help ease some of the parking issues before next season.”
Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.
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