Public input important in arena financing

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BY CHRIS BEUTLER and TOM OSBORNE

Imagine a new neighborhood springing up within the core of our city. This new neighborhood is a redevelopment project that will bring new jobs — a permanent increase of 350 jobs — and millions of dollars in economic development to our city. Within the project is a new civic arena that will host state sports tournaments and modern concerts to entertain the young professionals and families who have made Lincoln their home.

The decision to create this future for Lincoln is a decision that must be made together, by all of us. That is why a renewed public engagement effort to solicit input from Lincoln citizens about the proposed West Haymarket Arena Project was initiated two months ago. The West Haymarket Action Team, a partnership made up of public officials and community members, has sanctioned this plan to reach out to the community to solicit input that will provide direction to the design and finance teams working on the project.

As co-chairmen of the public engagement effort, we have encouraged Lincoln citizens to become part of the process that will result in a proposal to be placed on the ballot next spring.

It is our sincere belief that the development of the West Haymarket Arena can’t be realized without the support of Lincoln citizens, and their input is critical to creating a project that will benefit the entire community.

At a public event on Sept. 3, more than 450 Lincoln citizens came to the West Stadium Club at Memorial Stadium to provide input about the proposed development and give feedback on a menu of options, including transportation issues, placement of the new ice center and the establishment of a public plaza adjacent to the proposed arena. This series of public engagement events is scheduled to continue later this month on Oct. 29, when Lincolnites are invited to discuss the future of Pershing Center.

In the meantime, design professionals are hard at work reviewing the results of the citizen input received to date and negotiating a site plan for the project. This information will provide a framework for the finance options to be presented to the public later this year.

As you have read in the Lincoln Journal Star, the city of Lincoln has been approached by a private company that is gathering information about the project to see if it might be interested in participating as a private investor. The scope of its interest is not clear, and, without a firm commitment, comment about the likelihood of its participation would be ill-advised. However, we will continue to work with it, knowing that Lincoln citizens expect us to investigate every opportunity to save taxpayer dollars that could be part of a final financing proposal.

More information is needed — including an appraisal of the railroad property that would be home to the West Haymarket Arena, a redevelopment agreement for the project site and solid commitment of potential private financial support — before a significant public discussion about how the project might be funded should occur. We are committed to engaging the public in a meaningful way that will provide a comprehensive look at the project and potential funding sources.

It is clear that Lincoln has a great opportunity to build a new future home for entertainment and sports events that will help us retain state tournaments and provide new job growth and economic development for the Capital City. This series of public engagement efforts will help us develop a final plan, including the financing and accountability measures that will be part of a public vote on the project. We encourage you to engage with us to determine the future of Your Lincoln in the coming months.

Chris Beutler is Lincoln’s mayor. Tom Osborne is athletic director of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.