Editorial, 5/9: Reasons to vote for Haymarket arena
Lincoln Journal Star
May 9, 2010
Lincoln voters have an opportunity on Tuesday that comes along only once every few generations.
They can change the course of history. They can put Lincoln on a new path toward a better future by voting “yes” on the proposed West Haymarket arena.
For us, the choice is clear. We have presented our reasons in editorials in preceding weeks. Here’s a summary:
• Nebraska’s Capital City urgently needs a new arena to maintain its traditional role as an entertainment and sports magnet for the state. The Pershing Center, built in the middle of the previous century, cannot accommodate modern acts and sporting events.
The Pershing general manager listed acts that have turned down the auditorium because of inadequate facilities, including country music star Taylor Swift, the Radio City Music Hall Rockette Christmas Spectacular, Disney on Ice, musician John Mayer and many others.
There’s a cost for doing nothing.
Lincoln has lost the state wrestling tournament because of inadequate facilities. Next year, it is losing the state volleyball tournament; fans had complaints about the Pershing. Each loss removes $1 million to $2 million from the community, as well as the intangible buzz that comes from an influx of high-energy fans and athletes.
The arena will help restore vibrancy and bring new energy and enthusiasm to the community.
• Community leaders have drawn up a sound and affordable plan for financing the project, without boosting the city property tax rate.
The bond for the project will be paid by a 4 percent occupation tax on hotels and car rentals and a 2 percent bar and restaurant tax. The advantage of this approach is that the tax is largely on discretionary spending.
Another advantage is that an estimated 15 percent to 20 percent will be paid by visitors from outside the community.
Naysayers have tried to cast doubt on the city’s projections, but they have been vetted by some of the community’s most vigilant and experienced budget hawks, including the Lincoln Independent Business Association.
• The West Haymarket site is ideal for maximizing the arena’s economic impact. Located near existing restaurants, bars and retail, the new 400-acre development means the arena, and thousands of new parking spots, will be within walking distance of scores of places to have fun. People can plan for a day of activity.
• Community leaders have developed thorough and sensible plans for coping with the negative aspects of the location. The arena will be built 2 feet higher than the 500-foot flood level. They have allocated $7.5 million for cleaning up contamination — another plus for the community. Tests results announced last month by an independent contractor answering to the federal Environmental Protection Agency have provided reassurance that earlier, more extensive testing was valid.
• Lastly, voters should take into account the extraordinary amount of planning and work that has gone into developing the proposal. Community leaders and volunteers have been poring over the details for years. Democratic and Republican party leaders support it. Business groups such the Chamber of Commerce and LIBA support it. Unions support it. The unanimity among community doers in support of the project is unprecedented.
By acting now, the community has a short-lived opportunity to partner with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which will make the arena the home for the Husker men’s and women’s basketball teams. The university’s participation is essential for a project of this scope.
Don’t let the opportunity slip away. Vote “yes” on the arena.
