Editorial: Vision in Lincoln

From the Omaha World-Herald
December 1, 2009

For too long, Lincoln has had the reputation of a community mired in status-quo thinking. Red tape too often slowed or even stopped worthwhile ideas. Deep-pocketed civic donors are hard to find. And tensions have separated Lincoln interests that focus on the city's downtown from those that look to develop the urban fringes.

Given this background, it is heartening that Lincoln leaders, in the private and public sectors, have developed a broad, coherent vision for further development of Lincoln's Haymarket district. The plans would involve not only a proposed 16,000-seat arena but also an array of associated amenities: retail and hotel facilities, recreational space, outdoor public event event areas.

Lincoln voters will make the call on whether the proposed $25 million general obligation bond for the arena is a sound move. As World-Herald reporting has shown, the finances warrant thorough discussion.

In any case, Lincoln interests deserve credit for getting off the dime and working together to develop an attractive set of ideas for long-term development. Without civic vision, Lincoln will not break out of the status-quo trap. And it's imperative that Nebraska's capital city move forward.