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UNL unveils plans for fairgrounds

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BY MELISSA LEE / Lincoln Journal Star

Saturday, Nov 17, 2007 - 01:26:15 pm CST

The debate over the future of State Fair Park has been a loud one.

But the University of Nebraska-Lincoln chose a quiet day — the Saturday before Thanksgiving — to go public with a big, fair-related announcement of its own.

At exactly 1 p.m., UNL unveiled tentative plans for how it might use the fairgrounds should lawmakers decide to move the fair to make way for a university research and development campus.

Story Photo
A sketch of UNL's proposed innovation park.

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Nebraska Innovation Park concept plan

Illustration by RDG Planning and Design (Courtesy of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln)...

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Nebraska Innovation Park
Nebraska Innovation Park

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln on Saturday went public with a conceptual plan for how it might develop State Fair Park should it acquire the 251-acre fairgrounds. Here are some highlights of UNL’s plan, called the Nebraska Innovation Park:

* 1.6 million gross square feet of developed space

* 886,000 square feet of privately developed space

* 623,000 square feet of publicly developed space

* 30,000 square feet of retail space, likely small shops or convenience stores

* A 75,000-square-foot wellness center

* The Devaney Center, Ice Box, 4-H and Industrial Arts buildings all would be preserved

The plans are bold: Dubbed Nebraska Innovation Park, they boast 1.6 million gross square feet of developed space, including 17 buildings dedicated at least partially to research, recreational space to boot and a large pond where the fair’s racetrack now sits.

And they make one thing clear: University leaders aren’t wavering in the least in their belief that the best use of the 251-acre fairgrounds is a research campus, a development, they say, that would stimulate Nebraska’s economy and create numerous new jobs.

“I have described what I want out there,” UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman said Friday night. “Now it’s important for people to be able to visualize it.”

Not coincidentally, the unveiling comes just two days after a team of consultants told legislators that sprucing up the fair at its current location instead of building a new park would save more than $144 million, findings that sat well with fair leaders who don’t want to move.

The plans also come less than a week after Gov. Dave Heineman — who also has expressed reluctance to move the fair — announced he had asked university and fair leaders to discuss sharing the fairgrounds.

Perlman says he’s open to ideas, but skeptical co-existence could work. Absent from the Innovation Park model is any sign UNL’s vision includes sharing space with the fair.

Also absent is a price tag, a fact some fair leaders have been quick to seize on. Moving the fair, they say, is a multi-million dollar burden they’re unwilling to impose on taxpayers.

What Innovation Park plans do include are these: 886,000 square feet of privately developed space, 623,000 square feet of public space, 30,000 square feet of retail space and a 75,000-square-foot wellness center, plus tennis and volleyball courts, gardens and playing fields. The  Ice Box would be preserved as it is.

The fair’s Industrial Arts and 4-H buildings also would stay, with the hope they could become learning and multi-purpose space, Perlman said.

“It is, to me, a village-like feel.”

All of those features match what NU leaders have been touting for months: a mixed-use park like the successful Centennial Campus at North Carolina State, which features research, corporate activity and luxury amenities in a shared space.

“(The plan) does address the goals that we’ve discussed,” NU President J.B. Milliken said. “It addresses the kinds of successful planning elements that were used at Centennial — a mix of public and private uses, various amenities.”

NU leaders and 2015 Vision,  a coalition of local business leaders who proposed moving the fair more than a year ago, have yet to specify how much a research campus might cost.

They do say, though, that the campus would more than pay for itself.

Research funding at UNL has tripled in the past decade, with faculty bringing in more than $100 million in external research grants in the past year alone.

The Beadle Center, one of UNL’s top research buildings, has generated more than $100 million in new research money since it was built in 1995. If the Beadle’s model of success were applied to the Innovation Park, UNL says, the state could see a $1 billion boon over 10 to 12 years.

“Could it be more than that? Heck, yes, it could be,” said Bill Nunez, director of Institutional Research and Planning at UNL.

“The impact could be absolutely tremendous. Just imagine the possibilities.”

The university also says private-sector interest in setting up shop near campus is high.

An agriculture-related company has expressed interest in moving on or near campus soon, Perlman said, and it’s not the only one.

One environmental technology company based in Los Angeles even named specific UNL researchers with whom it would like to work, said John Brasch, associate vice chancellor for technology development.

“That’s just a taste of what’s out there,” he said. “I can tell you there’s interest.”

Vice Chancellor for Research Prem Paul believes a UNL research campus would be key in jump-starting Nebraska’s economy and keeping bright young minds in the state.

And if UNL does not pursue research growth, Paul said, it will lose out on competitive grants and top faculty, a trend he’s already beginning to see.

“Yes, we’re a small state. Yes, we’re not where we need to be,” he said. “But, my gosh, we’ve already shown we can compete in certain targeted areas.

“The potential for Nebraska is huge.”

Still, the fate of the fair will be decided by the Legislature, not the university, and lawmakers are weeks from publicly weighing in on the debate.

The Agriculture Committee has scheduled a public hearing on the issue for Dec. 14, and committee Chairman Sen. Phil Erdman of Bayard has said members will have a recommendation ready for the full Legislature by the next day.

At least until then, fair leaders are reluctant to comment on UNL’s specific developments.

“The university is entitled to do whatever planning they wish,” said State Fair Board member Tam Allan. “They can present whatever they feel is in their best interest.”

UNL believes acquiring the fairgrounds is just that.

“We can’t be thinking five, 10 years,” Nunez said. “We have to be thinking 50 years, 100 years.

“We have one opportunity now. This might be it.”

Reach Melissa Lee at 473-2682 or mlee@journalstar.com.


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TERRIFIC! wrote on November 17, 2007 1:15 pm:
" Wow - this is a wonderful opportunity for Nebraska and Lincoln. Thank you to those looking 100 years from now... "

 huh?? wrote on November 17, 2007 1:39 pm:
" Wow, what is terrific thinking? Just who is going to pay for this. I can barely make enough to pay my property taxes now let alone with this building project on the drawing board!! I don't even think my kid wants to go to UNL and I'm a UNL alum. Lincoln & Omaha are so different from the rest of the state that maybe they should look at how the rest of us live. I hope our legislature takes a good look at costs of the proposals. Move the fair for over $100 million and what will the cost of renovating for UNL's proposal be? Get real. We need to look at the costs. I can't afford for the fair to move and UNL move in. And where the fair would move to really doesn't matter. I'd for it to move farther west in the state,say Kearney, but that doesn't seem likely either. We just can't afford the cost. "

 Scott wrote on November 17, 2007 2:02 pm:
" The way these things work is they start very ambitious, then get scaled back as the bill mounts. So I'd expect about 30% of what Perlman wants could actually get done if the funds are even there for that much. But why? "

 We can't afford to be complacent! wrote on November 17, 2007 2:22 pm:
" This is an opportunity that will greatly benefit ALL of Nebraska! If (or when) the voters examine this issue I hope they realize that Nebraska can achieve great opportunities but only if we have the foresight to follow through. We have the vision, it's presented to us right now. We have true leadership, it's being displayed right now. We have the need for opportunity but unfortunately what's lacking is the recognition for this as an important and urgent issue. Let the nay-sayers complain that they can't stomach this change because they want Nebraska to remain as the current status quo. However this Husker Fan will not be satisfied until the Fair-grounds moves to Kearney and UNL gets its research park! "

 what about wrote on November 17, 2007 2:25 pm:
" Heritage Village? What would become of that? I have fond memories of visiting in the Fourth Grade so many years ago. "

 UNL Can Cover the costs then... wrote on November 17, 2007 2:30 pm:
" I'm sure that UNL won't mind if it's budget is cut by the amount required to move the fair if they are so insistent on going through with their plans. They want the land, they want the fair to move to open up the land for their use, then they should have to pay the additional $140 million it would take to cover the move. I'm sure that some of the football boosters can cover that, right?!? "

 yoshiki wrote on November 17, 2007 2:34 pm:
" To huh: Move to a cheaper state if you don't like it. As for moving to a duller state, I can't promise much. I hope this goes through. Hopefully if investments like these are made within the state, everyone one day will be able to afford property taxes: State revenue goes up, taxes go down. Makes sense to me... "

 Green Hornet wrote on November 17, 2007 3:18 pm:
" To make money you have to spend money. That's how it works, folks. You spend the money now and the money comes back multi-fold. Is there a guarantee the research campus will make money? Of course not. Guess what? There's no guarantee you won't get hit by a bus today. But building this campus, and moving the fair out to 84th Street and trading the university the fair land for their land out there, IS the best answer for the future of Lincoln and Nebraska. It's the best hope we have to build an industry in this state that will carry us through the 21st Century. Trust me, ethanol ain't gonna do it. No one says we have to spend $175 million on the fairgrounds. In fact, when the consultants proposed the ideas involved in that $175 million they acknowledged that the state probably shouldn't go that far. But Nebraska's big problem over the last 25 years is it has stagnated because it didn't want to spend the money it needed to spend on infrastructure. Time to look to the future. You have to spend money to make money. "

 Go For It! wrote on November 17, 2007 3:21 pm:
" Let UNL have the historical fairgrounds of Nebraska...maybe Perlman should consider moving UNL farther out west. Money is no object in his plan. Which one moves? Doesn't matter, but move one of them more to the center of the state so it benefits Nebraska. "

 Stone wrote on November 17, 2007 3:36 pm:
" If UNL's use of their first development area, Whittier Jr. High, is the history to go by, then they better just leave the State Fair where it is. Nothing mentioned about the tax burden of building such a fiasco . . . let along the cost of moving the State Fair. If the Unicameral wants to do something intelligent, then disband and let this state go back to a two house system with more equal representation. As it is, Lincoln and Omaha run roughshod over the rest of the state on any given issue. "

 Tax Payers will Pay wrote on November 17, 2007 3:37 pm:
" So... let's get this right, UNL wants the tax payers to pay to move the fair... then they want tax payers to pay for the research park? Get real. Also, I'm not sure a large pond is very efficiant use of the space. "

 Lincolnite wrote on November 17, 2007 3:47 pm:
" If we don't think big, we'll be in the same old HOLE forever!! Go for it, UNL. "

 WAAAAHHHHH!!! wrote on November 17, 2007 3:54 pm:
" WAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!! Silly Nebraskans, shut up. You're all scared of progress. "

 Matt Poulsen wrote on November 17, 2007 4:24 pm:
" Excellent! For those worried about who is going to pay for need to think out of the box a little. Yes, there may be some up front costs, but this type of thing will bring in all sorts of higher paying jobs. In the end, it will pay for itself and will create a synergy in downtown Lincoln that is clearly lacking. Something like this, along with the plans for revamped Haymarket area could really catapult Lincoln to the top of mid-level cities. It will be easier to get companies to come in and invest. You say how can we afford it...I say "how can we afford not to". "

 Mike in DC wrote on November 17, 2007 5:31 pm:
" This is an important investment. This is about keeping some of the intellectual investment and revenue IN NEBRASKA. It will enhance the educational opportunities, and long-term, bring in revenue. Lincoln and Omaha maybe be vastly different than much of the state, but they also hold more than half of the residents, and well MORE than that cut of the tax revenue. If you want to bring PROPERTY TAX relief, you have to bring higher-paying jobs; they broaden the tax base. But, this won't be easy. It has to be done smart. High-falloontin tech is nice, but we also need to bring in high-tech ag and environmental jobs that will synergize with the economy and bring value-added manufacturing jobs along with. Would the fairgrounds work at Husker Harvest days facilities--perhaps, expanded? I don't think anyone wants to poo poo the fair, but the location in downtown is better suited to the tech park than state fair. The rest of the world isn't slowing down; and if YOU THINK taxes are bad now, if Nebraska falls further behind, it'll be that much tougher to keep head above water. Corporate farming is coming, so let's do this so we can keep some of that money here. "

 huh?? wrote on November 17, 2007 6:00 pm:
" Well many of you want to see UNL get the fairgrounds and the fair. All I can say, who's the first one to get out their checkbook and make a HUGE donation to get these moves done? Put your money where it will do some good. Walk the Walk people. "

 Gerard Harbison wrote on November 17, 2007 6:14 pm:
" So we at UNL just heard last week that we can expect a 20% cut in scientific journals this winter, which will reduce to almost nothing our already pathetic access to the scientific literature. Whenever I write a paper or a grant, I spend large amounts of time filling out a few dozen library requests for papers; the librarians then go to the off-campus stacks, scan in the paper, and send it to me electronically. The stupid thing is, almost all the papers I need are already electronically available, at the journal web site, but UNL won't pay for access. This is just so I can keep up with what's going on in the outside world. My competitors, of course, do have access, and so they spend many hours less on each research product. I've concluded that Perlman isn't in the least interested in promoting research - if he did, he'd stop making it so hard to get it done. He wants the 'research park' strictly to boost his ego and his resume. We need to properly support the researchers and the research facilities we have, before we spend millions of dollars on new ones. "

 Jon Schafer wrote on November 17, 2007 6:47 pm:
" Maybee we need to look at a combination project. Is there enough land available around the proposed new convention center/arena to host the outdor portions of the fair? It seems that since the state fair is only 2 weeks/year, we need a multipurpose are, and I'llbet the new convention center would be easier to swallow with state aid available (presumably) from moving the fair. "

 Bill wrote on November 17, 2007 7:41 pm:
" The University plan is truly a much better use of the property. Having the Fair use it 10 days a year is not. The Fair runs in the red and Keno funds and the City of Lincoln and Lincoln taxpayers make up the difference. No one said the taxpayers are going to pay for all of this. The assets of the NU Foundation are greater than $1 Billion. Show this plan to Corporate America and the money will come rolling in. "

 Debbie wrote on November 17, 2007 7:53 pm:
" Who's gonig to make money on this Green? Not the little guy who's taxes will pay for this. It goes to the same small group of rich. "

 john wrote on November 17, 2007 7:58 pm:
" How much of the 100 Million generated by the Beadle Center has been to foster new business growth in Nebraska? Show me the MONEY. This concept by the UNL is unrealistic. Antelope valley was done for the UNL. to open up new ground for them. I guess, it was just a smoke screen. The river and pond water ,is coming from were? The Flood. What A bunch of BS.And this from the same Harvey Perlman et.al that gave Coach Bill a raise. "

 Think about it wrote on November 17, 2007 8:02 pm:
" Say this were to happen...is there enough parking for Devaney and the Ice Box? "

 WWTOD wrote on November 17, 2007 10:52 pm:
" So... what consultant drew up these plans? Who paid for it? What criteria was used? Did the planner talk to anyone BESIDES Perleman? Why no costs? Jeez, there's only a dozen other questions that could have been asked, but apparently nobody wanted to upset Harvey. Look, I'm all for progress but this is ridiculous... Harvey's "I said what I want, so that's what needs to happen" attitude pretty much says it all. Such arrogance... no wonder he saw no problem with Pederson for so long. "

 Terry wrote on November 17, 2007 11:36 pm:
" Ain't it pretty! Too bad it'll bankrupt the state while making a few Lincoln people even richer. "

 hopeless wrote on November 17, 2007 11:36 pm:
" Ka-Ching! Those of you who want UNL to have the research facility, step right up, be first in line to start writing those checks to pay for it!! Put your money in first. "

 jj wrote on November 18, 2007 12:13 am:
" Perhaps, if the Fair doesn't move, what you could do is move most of the Ag Classes and Research of East Campus to the Fairgrounds in partnership with the Fair. Then, you re-purpose East Campus as the Innovation Campus. Any plan will cost money, even rehabbing the fairgrounds for the Fair. "

 Late O'Day wrote on November 18, 2007 12:21 am:
" Why is this even being discussed. They're going forward regardless of what anyone really wants. They may call it a "vision" or a "proposal" -- but only an idiot would think that this isn't already a fait acompli. So let's stop pretending that this is an actual discussion. "

 no-brainer wrote on November 18, 2007 12:40 am:
" Just a reminder to everyone! Who built the Devaney Center? Smokers! Well, it is a no brainer! Put more tax,(alot), on the smokers and the drinkers! If less cigarettes and alcohol are sold,(which is doubtful), look at how much would be saved on medical bills and on human lives. If these two luxury items were taxed enough, surely enough money would be generated to move the fair and let UNL move in! Less cancer from smoking and how many lives would be saved from people that quit smoking and drinking. Cigaretts and Alcohol are still huge items to make money on! Go for it Nebraska and watch how other states follow. "

 nebjim2 wrote on November 18, 2007 4:21 am:
" The Innovation Park sounds good for Nebraska but what will happen to the race track. It's a great agricultural connect purpose of Nebraska, will it survive?? That wasn't mentioned yet. "

 Math wrote on November 18, 2007 6:07 am:
" Who's doing the math? 200-300 million west haymarket 140 million state fair, 90 million jail and building for the university how many millions is that going to cost, say 100 milion 630 million who pays? Wake up Lincoln "

 Doc wrote on November 18, 2007 6:53 am:
" I admit it, I have a love affair with the State Fair. It started when I was barely a teen in 1955. Driving about 200 miles to stay for a week in the bunk beds at Industrial Hall. I knew everything that one could do at the Fair for free. I could slice and dice with the best of them. But, Lincoln and times have changed. Lincoln is not a city of 90,000 anymore. In '55, it almost seemed like the Fair Grounds were at the edge of the city, now they are stuck in the middle. We can not hold on to a piece of ground because it is a trip down memory lane. Hopefully, the State Fair can move and UNL can proceed with their plans. I have a question, if the move was free would it look okay? If the answer is yes, then people only need to work on funding that makes sense. Don't say we can't afford it, open your mind and ask, how can we afford it? That always works better. "

 Lincoln Taxpayer wrote on November 18, 2007 7:22 am:
" In my line of work, I have had reason to search the Lancaster County Assessor's site for property owner by UNL. For those who seem to think the Fair grounds is the only option for UNL research, take a look at UNL's real estate holdings on the Assessor's site under "University of Nebrask Foundation" or "Board of Regents". It does appear they have a number of options without turning our historic fair grounds into looking like the North Forty golf course on 84th and Adams. "

 mark wrote on November 18, 2007 9:05 am:
" although the final outcome will likely look different, this is essential to our state's future. "

 Agree with Green Hornet wrote on November 18, 2007 9:05 am:
" One has to spend money to make money and if we want the Unl campus to grow and bring more young people into the state we need to move forward on this. What is really sad is the two fair boards (Lancaster County and State) can't get along. Talk about a wast of money when several years ago the built the Lancaster County Center, nothing like doubling up on services. Maybe both boards should be replaced with people who can see the future and work together. Its no wonder young people cant't get along and work towards a common goal, it because they don't have good examples to follow. Gov., please take a stand and build the research park move the to the Lancster Event ground, and insist that the two boards work together or replace them. "

 alan wrote on November 18, 2007 9:08 am:
" The only thing about the illustration and animation I DON'T like is all the deciduous trees! Plant evergreens for year-round-green and wind break!!! "

 kate wrote on November 18, 2007 9:30 am:
" obvious from the previous posts,most of you don't own a home and pay taxes, don't live in this area and aren't born and raised in Nebraska. Buy a house down here in the north bottoms, pay some taxes and get back to us who do. We're tired of being a dumping ground for Lincolns rich. "

 nebr supporter wrote on November 18, 2007 9:42 am:
" I think this is great if the university gives up the 144 billon from their budget to build the new fair grounds. but as it is I do not hear them willing to do that just give me and they do that every budget time they need more money if the Beadle center raise over a billon dollars for them why do they need more for their budget. They had a place in airpark but you don't hear about it and it was this same thing they want now.. Let them use anlop.creek area that is right next to the campus and not being used they should be able to work out protection for the 100 year flood if they are able to raise over a billion with one building. mayb4e giving them this space after they build a new fair ground for the state would be bad for they said 17 buildings that would be over 17 billion they would raise and we could stop giving them tax dollars each year joke they will only want more tax dollars "

 whatever wrote on November 18, 2007 9:51 am:
" Having a vibrant and innovative university is important to the future of Nebraska but keep in mind less than 1/4 of all college students in Nebraska attend UNL(based on 2005 data). In fact the overwhelming number of college students attend institutions of higher learning outside the City of Lincoln. In addition, enrollment in the entire University of Nebraska system comprises less than 50 percent of total college and university enrollment in Nebraska. Again having a relevant state university like UNL is important, but UNL while significant is only a small part of the total "College and University Picture" in this state. I think people tend to believe that UNL is the destination of choice for higher education in this state and tend to overstate it's importance. For many families like mine it's about the last institution one would consider attending in this state for a variety of reasons. "

 No Brainer wrote on November 18, 2007 9:54 am:
" This is such a no-brainer. To all the State Fair people: Nobody is saying end the fair. You can have a better State Fair even in Lincoln at a different location. Let go of your trips down memory lane and your "turf" mentality. This research park has to happen. Its the future, its the first forward thinking thing this community has presented in 50 years. A cow barn and tractor pull should not prevent this from happening! I can bet you this research park will change lives in Nebraska. Get this research park done and people will be amazed at how this community and state will change for the better -- leave the State Fair grounds there for its current use and nothing will change...we'll still have a stagnant State Fair and the University will not be able to advance its research initiatives - slowing economic,research, social and educational advancement across this entire state. "

 HoosierHusker wrote on November 18, 2007 10:12 am:
" Move the fairgrounds already! This research park is the future. The Nebraska State Fair is the past! Build a nice fair some where central, like just off the Crete exit on I80, and see it explode in attendence. "

 ok wrote on November 18, 2007 10:28 am:
" where is the water for the pond/lake and the rivers shown in the drawings going to come from? Are we going to pump it from our water thus raising our water rates. "

 get real wrote on November 18, 2007 10:31 am:
" Has anyone added up all the Dreams of the rich lately? My calculations are 90 mil jail, 200-300 mill arena convention center, 140 mill move state fair, UNL well that's prob another 300 mill before long it will be a billion. Wake up Lincoln. "

 a construction worker wrote on November 18, 2007 11:13 am:
" I would obviously like to see a lot of new construction happen. But here is a thought - can we combine 2 large projects into one? How about if we do a study that will combine the convention center/arena idea with a new fairgrounds. The combined efforts of the city, county and state governments working for a comon goal and common ground, would be a tax savings and a benefit to everyone. Not to mention all the construction dollars it would bring to this city. "

 Joe wrote on November 18, 2007 12:15 pm:
" Keep in mind that Perlman already brought in someone who wanted to build his "dream castles" in the sky..now he is gone after destroying all the traditions, culture, and history of Nebraska football. The State Fair is next, and who knows what is to be destroyed in the future. Is this what all Nebraskans really want?? "

 Cletus wrote on November 18, 2007 12:15 pm:
" An interesting quote from the article should give everyone a reason to pause and question each and every move. The story says: “I have described what I want out there,” UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman said Friday night. “Now it’s important for people to be able to visualize it.” Why is this “what I want”? Could this be another legacy to go along with the others i.e.: the person who hired Steve Pederson, who should have approved the hiring of Bill Callahan, the same “I want” person who approved a new contract for Pederson only days before he started hearing negative comments about the AD. Not to mention the huge contract of Callahan’s that we should all be able to see. Almost forgot the same UNL President who hired Steve Pederson who wanted a coach in Arkansas whose abilities are being questioned. I’m thinking we don’t need another “I want” and if we do then let the NU Foundation fund it someplace between Omaha & Lincoln, who knows maybe we could have a ‘regional airport’ next door to the development. "

 Matt Poulsen wrote on November 18, 2007 12:38 pm:
" My god. This is so so much bigger than the Nebraska football program...how do people even bring up the football program in this context?? For the record, people need to understand that Perlman's main concern is NOT the football program!! Everyone bad mouthing Perlman should consider that he makes about 1/3 of what the old president at Wesleyan made and he makes much less than most in similar positions. Perlman is simply trying to move UNL into a higher level of excellence...but somehow some of you can only talk about his impact on the football program. God! "

 Derek wrote on November 18, 2007 1:30 pm:
" I can't believe people even mention football in this conversation about the research park and Chancellor Perlman. Football doesn't matter compared to this. The research park can change lives here for the next 100 years. You know why the contracts of Pederson and Callahan slipped by? It's because Chancellor Perlman has bigger fish to fry...like education, research, budgets, legislative agendas, external affairs, student affairs etc, etc etc... He and President Milliken are paid to plan the vision of that institution. They are doing the right thing. Whatever this project costs, it pays back over and over...the shortsighted thinking here is why our community struggles to move ahead. "

 Matt wrote on November 18, 2007 1:47 pm:
" I understand that money will be a factor, and I hope that all parties involved do what they can to save the taxpayer. On the other hand, Nebraska must stop its trend of losing its population. The research park is a great first step. Nebraska MUST make this a reality. "

 Joe II wrote on November 18, 2007 2:11 pm:
" How about this for a suggestion, put a 2-3 cents on the dollar added to sales tax with an exemption for vehicles, utilities, gasoline, and food only from grocery stores and make it statewide to move the "STATE" fair and build the innovation park and make it clearly state that when these projects are paid for then that extra 2-3 cents will be recinded. That way everybody in the state chips in and even people out of state that pass through can help pay for it. It's just a suggestion and I'm sure someone will probably rip me up for it but that way they won't have to raise property taxes and they won't have to pick on just smokers and drinkers. Just a thought. "

 Fortunately, wrote on November 18, 2007 3:02 pm:
" This will happen whether the nostalgia buffs like it or not, and for the betterment of Lincoln (note I didn't say "the State"). "

 Go for it! wrote on November 18, 2007 4:33 pm:
" There isn't a better Idea! The State fair has been lacking excitement in the last few years, a move would probably be beneficial. The Lincoln economy would benefit from this plan!! "

 this won't work wrote on November 18, 2007 5:24 pm:
" if you seriously think you can get private industry to pay for something as speculative as this. the reason the research parks in omaha work is because there's financial backing, not speculation. lincoln just doesn't have the cash to do this. not to mention it's unlikely that you'll be attracting scores of highly intelligent people (a.k.a. researchers) to live in hole like lincoln. "

 Think about it wrote on November 18, 2007 5:51 pm:
" Go figure everyone. Do you want to keep the state fair ground for old people who do not contribute anything much to the city or bring more young knowledgable people who can make our future better and brighter? If you do not want all of your kids to move out of here after graduation, you'd better support this brillian idea from UNL. "

 Max A. wrote on November 18, 2007 6:42 pm:
" This is should not be about what Harvey wants. This should not be about UNL and taxes. It should be about what is best for the State of NE! Yes, the University owns a lot of additional property. Meaning the taxpayers own additional acreage. That acreage may be better utilized for the state fair, or for this new vision. Let's explore that option. Also, I support the Govenor's idea to evaulate and think creatively to determine how UNL and the State Fair can both utilze the State Fair grounds together. I believe that if the leaders of our State, the State Fair and UNL would all park their individual wants and egos, and work together to find a way to share the acreage and maintain the historical buildings, we here in Nebraska could have a multi-purpose site that we could be proud of. As our leaders, it is your job to think of the welfare of the entire state, not just the piece that you manage for the people of Nebraska! "

 J wrote on November 18, 2007 7:09 pm:
" This should only happen if the state fair is moved to Kearney, Grand Island, or Scottsbluff - otherwise it will simply be one more example of how Lincoln gains from Greater Nebraska's expense. "

 from out west wrote on November 18, 2007 7:19 pm:
" If Lincolnites want this park in Lincoln, so people will come to Lincoln, so they can spend money in Lincoln, and create higher paying jobs in Lincoln, then let Lincoln pay for it. Just a thought. "

 JeiPi wrote on November 18, 2007 7:26 pm:
" It says: "UNL unveils plans for fairgrounds" It should have said: "UNL unveils LAND USE for fairgrounds" A "Plan" is not a map that depicts Land Use. A plan requires strategies and stages of development. I guess there is a document in PDF format with "the Plan". It would be great that the Lincoln Journal Star could have access to this document and publish it during the week. "

 usprophet wrote on November 18, 2007 7:37 pm:
" While I am a Husker fan, It is my opinion that the UNL has run rough shod over this city long enough. We need someone in the government to stand up to them. They need to know that they can't always have what they want. If they want the Fairgrounds bad enough, they should be willing to pay for the relocation of the Fairgrounds and also for the rebuilding of an arena for the Lincoln Stars as well as the Race Track. They can always locate their research corridor anywhere close to Lincoln in the country as that what most of the research is going to be about anyway. "

 Clarence wrote on November 18, 2007 8:28 pm:
" Is there any way the new fair grounds could also include an event center for the City. Wouldn't this be a way to save money?? The City cannot afford to build a new event center at this point in time. "

 Karma wrote on November 18, 2007 9:03 pm:
" Ultimately, Nebraska will get what it deserves. I don't know that the leadership is present to move this forward. Without that I suppose we can foresee the future in what has happened in North Dakota - diminishing population, economy and all the rest -- they both start with the ever popular "N." A people without vision perish. "

 DBR wrote on November 18, 2007 9:21 pm:
" This is a great opportunity for this city, county & state. I'm sure the politicians will find a way to blow it. "

 bubba wrote on November 18, 2007 10:35 pm:
" Some interesting points. Really all we have are proposals to build buildings. Does anyone in leadership have any plans beyond that? Or are the plans for the developers to line their pockets with taxpayer money? So tell me UNL how's that technology park in the Highlands working for you? Use that as a template for where the leadership of the city and the state are taking us all. Gonna burn my bridges and move out of this state and start a business where there is some hope not just taxpayers lining the pockets of developers and crooked politicians. Oh, and for the "football" folks. If the 'huskers' can't turn it around the football program will no longer be able to finance the rest of 'husker athletics. UNL is required by law to finance all sorts of athletics. No money from football and the taxpayers foot the bill. "

 Joe wrote on November 18, 2007 11:31 pm:
" Let's not bad mouth the "football people". They have paid a large share of the athletic programs' costs for many years. With the result being that Nebraska football is a respected institution in this state which has created its own culture and tradition. Now, most of it is gone. No wonder the powers that be have no respect for the culture and tradition of the Nebraska State Fair. Culture and tradition mean little to some people. Remember, Nebraska is more than just Lincoln! We hear about all the benefits of this technology park that will be realized by the state. May we have specific details of how the average "Joe Taxpayer" will realize these benefits? Will we look forward to a reduction in taxes in the future or maybe a rebate check for financing this whole thing? Just what should we be expecting that is tangible and that we can "take to the bank"? One more thought: upon reviewing Harvey's plan, I noticed that the majority of the buildings are to be used for private businesses. If this is such a great money making deal, shouldn't private business be tripping over each other to finance the whole plan? If not, why not? And, if the magic 251 acres of the fairgrounds is not available, is there a plan B.....or is the whole thing forgotten. Lots of questions, few answers. "

 Whatever wrote on November 19, 2007 6:19 am:
" "get real", I've posted similar thoughts, but you forgot the recent LPS bond issue, Antelope Valley and the Airport. With an Arena you can be assured the Harris Overpass project will be redone, again. Now we are looking at Dead Mans Run flood control and proposed low income housing. We are well past 1 billion and rapidly approaching 2 billion in Taxpayer funded projects. Oh, and look for rapid enrollment in LPS. I would say LPS is looking at the need for 2 to 3 more elementary schools in less than 6 years. Lincoln doesn't have a good handle on it's census of illegal immigrants and their legal children. The scary thing here isn't the fact that things need to be done and money spent, it's the haphazard nature of the planning and lack of unity in purpose and vision. "

 Have some vision wrote on November 19, 2007 9:48 am:
" Obviously, many of you aren't aware of how much funding the University actually gets from the state. I'll give you a hint... it's less than 10% of the University's operating budget. So very little of the cost of what the University is proposing will be passed along to Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Taxpayer. Furthermore, isn't there another article, RIGHT NOW, that says the State is sitting on a greater than $500 million surplus? You do the math. What you see in tax increases, if any, for the state fair project will be miniscule. Someone else said it great- people want to gripe that there is no progress in Nebraska, but they also don't want to put up any money for it. Move the fair, and let the University build something we can be proud of in this state BESIDES football (sorry!)- a world-class research facility, bolstering a terrific institution of higher learning. "

 Can't be serious wrote on November 19, 2007 10:50 am:
" Just how much money is this going to "bring in". Everyone talks about how high paying these jobs are going to be and how much money is going to come pouring into the state if UNL gets its happy little way again. Prove it. Time to step up and prove it. No one has done so, they just keep saying that its going to happen. "

 Just say No wrote on November 19, 2007 10:53 am:
" This project is largely recreation, entertainment and parking. The amount of space devoted to research is small in comparison to the recreation centers, tennis courts, play grounds, and parking structures. UNL should not take state fair land for their play and parking facilities. If Lincoln doesn't want the fairgrounds, those of us in Grand Island would be happy to have it and all the economic benefits that come from fair attendance. "

 Tom Anderson wrote on November 19, 2007 12:03 pm:
" Here we go again. Mr. Harbison again writing about how bad UNL is without doing his homework. Sure hope his students are made to do their research and not to just make things up. Mr. Harbison needs to look at how much money is put into the UNL research network and just what type access he really has. Instead of complaining about how he does things maybe he should figure out the correct way of doing them. As he states his pathetic access to scientific journals runs over a high speed 10 GB internet2 connection that is not only used for educational use but as a backbone for some rather impressive scientific work. Just one of these pathetic scientific uses is the Large Hadron Collider experiment. If you want to know more about that take a look at the internet2.edu site and see how UNL is one of the leaders in the world in high speed networking uses. If Mr. Harbison would learn how to use the technology at his disposal he would know just how much a contribution UNL is making and adding a research corridor as the Chancellor would like to do would do nothing other than increase the research the “real” professors do at UNL. As has been stated in some of the comments, you can do nothing and have Nebraska stay as it is or spend some money now and end up making it and more back in the long run. "

 Steve wrote on November 19, 2007 12:32 pm:
" While this drawing certainly looks good, I'm really curious how much of the plan is going to bring in money. There really seems to be a lot of land use for sports fields, a lake, an outdoor gathering area, and a bunch of other stuff that really seems unnecessary. If part of the problem now is limited land space, how much sense does it make to take up so much of it with things completely unrelated to research? How long would it be before the tennis courts are removed to make way for more buildings? If we're looking at different types of recreation, why not look to things lacking in Lincoln such as another ice skating area, climbing wall open to the public, or something more creative? Why expand the Devaney Center when it is already underutilized and there is talk of an arena in the Haymarket? Progess is a good thing, but this plan just really lacks creativity to me. The fact that so many people are jumping on this bandwagon without knowing the details is a little scary... "

 Not Omaha wrote on November 19, 2007 1:04 pm:
" Lincoln is not Omaha, is never going to be Omaha, and is never going to be able to compete with Omaha. All this arena crap, and now this... $30 million to upgrade state fair park and $175 million to move it, that's $205 million... add to that all this arena jive... spend spend spend senior citizen leaders of Lincoln, you're too old to worry about paying for all this. Just remember, Omaha is bigger, better, and well designed with a real scope of the future. Lincoln has already lost. "

 Curious wrote on November 19, 2007 2:16 pm:
" Why are they closing and tearing up streets on the fair grounds now, if no decision has been made as to how the area will be used? "

 Brian wrote on November 19, 2007 3:46 pm:
" Research can benefit everyone in this state with the positive products it develops. Football, ferris wheels and concerts by bands you thought were dead, are not more important than possible cures for disease, safer roads, or energy alternatives. A research center would be a great thing to have for the long term. "

 Dalton/Get a grip on life! wrote on November 19, 2007 5:46 pm:
" What all of you guys think is state fair ground IS NOT.... UNL gave that land to the state fair for the fairgrounds Way Back When. So it's not like they are taking the land. You dumb people out there need to relize they are doing this to help the city. Otherwise they would be doing it! If Omaha is so much better, MOVE THERE!! But don't forget they have more crime, higher taxes, more extremist/radicalist leaders...etc..then you'll be complaining when you move there! "

 DBM wrote on November 19, 2007 6:38 pm:
" I've figured out a way to solve the State Fair problem. Get rid of the fair and let the University have the land. Take the lottery money that was going to the fair and give people vouchers to attend the State Fairs in adjoining states. They all have better fairs anyway. Nebraska has no problem letting got the adjoining states for gambleing and the gamblers spend a heck of a lot more than any fairgoers do. Problem Solved. "

 Professor York wrote on November 19, 2007 7:01 pm:
" That slick talkin' Pearlman already got away with a doozy in his role of the Petersen fiasco. Remember his smile was as wide as Petersen's with the new contracts and fund raising as the football team was going to heck in a handbasket. He (and his grin) should have been fired with Petersen. Then at the press conference he became somber, looked us in the face telling us no boosters had contacted him before the firing of Petersen. This research park is very important to the City and UNL and has boundless opportunity. Pearlman needs to concentrate on acedamia now and leave football to T.O. He is afterall as responsible as anyone for the demise of Husker nation. "

 Football is a game wrote on November 19, 2007 8:48 pm:
" Football is a game, so why do we continually bring it up in this conversation! It shows why Nebraska doesn't already have something like this...our priorities are completely out of whack! "

 Still waiting? wrote on November 19, 2007 9:50 pm:
" How much of an economic boon will this really be? No one seems able to prove this...they can only seem to say that it WILL happen as if there is no question about it. Well I'm questioning it. How about UNL uses the land they already have. Can anyone say Whittier? "

 Roger wrote on November 19, 2007 11:14 pm:
" " Why are they closing and tearing up streets on the fair grounds now, if no decision has been made as to how the area will be used? " Because the intelligent business people have already decided what is best, so you ignorant Lincolnites can't interfere. Give it a rest, settle back, and see what is best for ya... "

 Rob wrote on November 20, 2007 12:04 am:
" One thing you neglected to mention, Professor York. TO recommended Pederson to Harvey Perlman. A slight detail, eh? "

 Nebraskan wrote on November 20, 2007 4:42 pm:
" Perlman's idea may be a good idea, but it does not have to be on the Fairgrounds. The Fairgrounds is for the State Fair. The University already has plenty of ground to build on. Keep the Fair where it is. No true Nebraskan would even consider taking this land. Why can't they consider another site? Let's see some options. If this plan will bring in the so-called big money then it would work even if it was located somewhere else. Think about it. Maybe the powers that be want the Fairgrounds for their own personal gain. Remember the Fairgrounds is for the whole state. Remember the University or the City of Lincoln do not have any power over the Fairgrounds. "

 You've got to be kidding wrote on December 1, 2007 8:50 pm:
" I wish UNL would stop worrying about research and focus on teaching its students. When I decided on UNL, I came because I THOUGHT that I would get a decent education. I didn't care about research and I don't think a lot of other students do either. They just want to learn what they need to know to get a decent job and better the world