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Mile-long ‘Goldenrod Downs’ proposed for 84th & Havelock

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BY MELISSA LEE / Lincoln Journal Star

Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 - 07:17:45 pm CDT

Lincoln may be losing the state fair to Grand Island, but it looks like horse racing will stick around in the Capital City.

During a legislative hearing Thursday on the future of horse racing, members of 2015 Vision and other groups are scheduled to unveil a proposal for Goldenrod Downs — a 180-acre development at the northeast corner of 84th Street and Havelock Avenue that would include a mile-long race track and other features, according to a source who has seen a draft of the plans.

Along with the new track — a significant upgrade from the 5/8-mile track at State Fair Park — Goldenrod Downs would be home to a grandstand, commercial activity and space for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s equine programs, the source said.

Story Photo
Horses and jockeys race at State Fair Park in June. Along with the new track -- a significant upgrade from the 5/8-mile track at State Fair Park -- the proposed Goldenrod Downs at 84th and Havelock would be home to a grandstand, commercial activity and space for the UNL's equine programs. (LJS file)

Still unknown were how much the project would cost — previous estimates for a new track have been about $50 million — and who would share the bill.

The Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, which assumes horse racing duties from the State Fair Board after UNL takes over the fairgrounds in 2010, could be responsible for as much as $18 million, the source said.

The land proposed for Goldenrod Downs is owned by UNL. The university once offered to donate that land as part of 2015 Vision’s pitch to move the fair to the nearby Lancaster Event Center.

“And there is still interest in developing that property,” said 2015 Vision spokesman Doug Parrott.

Of Thursday’s presentation before the Legislature’s General Affairs Committee, Parrott would only say: “It involves future development opportunities on the 84th and Havelock Avenue property near the Lancaster Event Center. Details will be unveiled (Thursday). We consider it an exciting economic development opportunity.

“The hearing is about the future of horse racing. ... Obviously, given that topic, horse racing is going to be part of the presentation.”

Jerry Fudge, president of the 1,000-member Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protection Association, confirmed a move to 84th and Havelock will be a topic of discussion at the hearing, but declined to give details.

Fudge previously has advocated for horse racing to continue in Lincoln for the sake of fans, who made a strong showing at this year’s State Fair Park horse racing meet.

And a mile-long track would allow for more national visibility, racing leaders have said.

Given the cost for a new track, UNL has told the Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association that racing can stay at State Fair Park until 2012.

By then, UNL hopes to be on its way toward developing a research and development campus on the 251-acre fairgrounds.

Goldenrod Downs could offer additional space for UNL to expand its growing programs.

The proposal “will allow the university to advance some of its priorities as well as to accommodate horse racing,” Chancellor Harvey Perlman said. “And we can do all of this without significant financial implications for the university. ...

“The university’s not going to subsidize horse racing. But there are other activities which we may engage in that are important to us.”

UNL’s expanding equine programs certainly could use more space, said Kathleen Anderson, an associate professor of animal science.

UNL has beefed up its academic offerings in equine science in recent years, and its equestrian team is growing, prompting an increased need for horses and stables, Anderson said.

“It’s a very popular area, both from an academic standpoint and a recreational standpoint,” she said. “It’s a big draw. ... We’re kind of constrained on space.”

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


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YES wrote on September 17, 2008 7:53 pm:
" This will be SWEEEETTTTT. Horse racing is awesome and very exciting to watch. Especially when it is a mile long track. "
Fred wrote on September 17, 2008 8:30 pm:
" UNL is a joke and sucks in taxpayer money. UNL should give something to the community! "
Most important unanswered question wrote on September 17, 2008 8:40 pm:
" Still unknown were how much the project would cost — previous estimates for a new track have been about $50 million — and who would share the bill.

With all these projects that the Vision 2015 con art, er, leaders have in mind, we'll need a Federal bailout a la AIG before it is all said and done. "
Hmm wrote on September 17, 2008 8:46 pm:
" Read between the lines. UNL was sooooo "in bed" with 2015 Vision Group let alone anyone else who stands in the way of it's ambitions. "
Sounds OK wrote on September 17, 2008 8:58 pm:
" The house always wins, and in this case, the house is the state and city. I'm open-minded, where can we look at the proposed layout? "
Brad wrote on September 17, 2008 9:31 pm:
" You all want horse racing, but not a drag strip...
Drag strip would bring in alot more money..... "
Ricky wrote on September 17, 2008 9:41 pm:
" Keeping live horse racing alive in Nebraska is a good investment for the state.
I hope this oval is built. I will come down and wager.
Perhaps the project could qualify for tax breaks if it provides jobs or sales tax revenue.
Good luck to Lincoln on this.

Ricky From Omaha "
MC wrote on September 17, 2008 9:41 pm:
" You definitly have my attention, LOVE IT!!! And it should help keep gambling dollars here instead of Iowa. "
Exciting wrote on September 17, 2008 9:43 pm:
" This is great news for horse racing fans! I can't wait to see a mile track in Nebraska and hopefully an even longer season here in Lincoln! Hopefully this could spur something a little bigger in the Omaha area. "
good wrote on September 17, 2008 9:57 pm:
" finally something for everyone "
Late ODay wrote on September 17, 2008 10:03 pm:
" 84th & Havelock, eh? Why not just put it on Mars. "
unbelievable wrote on September 17, 2008 11:09 pm:
" And can someone explain why the fair could not have been moved to this location along with horse racing??? "
HuskerBohonk wrote on September 17, 2008 11:40 pm:
" But what about "All the Problems that Gambling Brings with it" ????? Why is horse racing, powerball, keno, bingo and pickle cards ok, but casinos are "EVIL" ??? "
Harry the Antenna Guy wrote on September 17, 2008 11:53 pm:
" We are still waiting for the attached CaSINo. Hose (without the 'r') racing is almost as good as NASty-CAR racing (sarcasm). "
lp wrote on September 18, 2008 12:01 am:
" Great a new Super Wally World and a possible horse track in my backyard...I'll take the horse track. At least that will be adding money to the community.

By the way BRAD...drag strip = waste of dirt. "
Dan wrote on September 18, 2008 12:31 am:
" Fred: UNL does give something to the community, higher education! That is a whole lot more important than horse racing. They are not even comparable, this town was built around the University and commerce could not survive without it, not to mention the state would be out a football team. "
omnione wrote on September 18, 2008 1:00 am:
" To Fred, you don't think UNL doesn't give anything to Lincoln? Please. The football team (run by the athletic department, but still is coupled to the school) brings in lots of bucks aside from entertainment expenses. They educate potential Lincolnite workers (not all their fault if the city sucks at urban planning) and those who also serve the community in extracurricular activities. Face it, Lincoln would be like Grand Island if not for the flagship university of this state. "
ellipsis wrote on September 18, 2008 1:06 am:
" Oh sure they cannot fix a bridge that is falling apart and is almost completely unsafe for traffic... But they can just let cars over it...or just people they don't know yet....and they can build this here instead.... Riiight.... But wait there is no gambeling in Nebraska... so we are just going to watch the horses run then? This place needs to get real! "
Terry wrote on September 18, 2008 6:32 am:
" How about this idea....The legislature give university land to a developer to build the track. Isn't it time that the university be shown that it's the people of the state that control THEM, not the other way around. "
WHAT wrote on September 18, 2008 6:48 am:
" This idea of having a mile long track and new facilities is nice. However the idea of moving it out to 84th and Havelock is absurd. We are spending millions of dollars to upgrade the downtown area and we have an attraction that could add to it but yet they propose to move it east. We need to keep it in the central part of town. "
No Casinos wrote on September 18, 2008 7:43 am:
" We will not allow casino gambling to come to our state and destroy the "good life" we have fought so long to force on everyone around us. But, we will provide the "gateway drugs" of gambling addiction to all. Remember folks bet the ponies and buy lots of scratch tickets because playing by our rulz is AOK! "
reasonable thinking wrote on September 18, 2008 7:49 am:
" What: To me this seems like the most logical spot. You have the Lancaster Event Center across the street. Ideal place to house horses. Two state of the art facilities in one location makes sense to me. 84th street is developing quickly. "
as wrote on September 18, 2008 8:18 am:
" Why am I NOT surprised to read comments that a new horse track should be built near or in the downtown area? A nuttier idea I haven't heard in a while...but oh so typical of Lincoln - the town that believe downtown is the do all & end all...

I'm glad to see that SOMEONE is putting an attraction in another area. Too bad the proposed arena isn't elsewhere as well.... "
Outside the Box wrote on September 18, 2008 8:19 am:
" In response to the question why the fair couldn't be moved to 84th & Havelock. . . just ask the fair board. They had the opportunity, but chose to let the fair go.

This is an ideal location for horse racing - there is a ton of space, parking, and it's close enough that it should draw more people from the Omaha area. "
Lincolnite in WV wrote on September 18, 2008 8:25 am:
" I absolutely LOVE the idea of a mile long track called Goldenrod Downs... but i do not like the idea of having it located at 84th and Havelock. I think a horse track would fit in well in the area of the baseball field, football field, and new arena. How wonderful to have the most beautiful sporting arenas located with a nice walking distance from each other. And, with so many parking spaces near downtown to help accommodate the football games, there would be plenty of parking for the arena, baseball, and race track all at once!! "
Steve wrote on September 18, 2008 8:26 am:
" $50 million - Dont waste the money building this facility. People were having a issue with builiding a Walmart in this area. I would much rather have a Walmart than this track. "
sOLUTION wrote on September 18, 2008 8:28 am:
" Set up barracades downtown and let the horsey's race downtown, we have blocks of unfilled buildings, they can run around the blocks just like CART does in the big city's.

If State fair would have moved out to 84th we could haved had both at less cost. "
How Typical wrote on September 18, 2008 8:32 am:
" Developers, i.e. Minions of Satan, destroy land and then name it after something that used to live there! In this case, Goldenrod. Maybe we should change our state flower to "Strip Mall" and our state bird to "Subdivision". "
Justin wrote on September 18, 2008 8:41 am:
" I would have to agree with Brad. I think a drag strip would have been and still would be far more profitable than any size horse racing track. "
BT wrote on September 18, 2008 8:49 am:
" first the fair is gone, now lets move the race track...what's next the
Ice Box...come on people look at the writing on the wall "
JB wrote on September 18, 2008 9:25 am:
" What a joke. Horse racing has been going downhill for ages. Tracks have been closing all over the country. People don't care what they gamble on. At one time horse racing in Lincoln was one of the few places where people could legally gamble in the area. Once the dog races and then the casinos openned there was no reason to go to the horses. The dogs killed Ak-sar-ben and the casinos almost killed the dogs. At one time the State Fair horse races paid for the Nebraska State Fair. Now the only way the State Fair Park survives is races on simocast. If people want to bet on houses, just buy a few TV to save money and forget the live horses. "
J wrote on September 18, 2008 10:08 am:
" This is a great idea. Hopefully this will be run by a private organization with private money. Big races could be held during the county fair at the Lancaster Events Center. I am all for having the downtown area revitalized with things like the new arena, but downtown is not a prime location for a new racetrack, it belongs on the East side of town. And because the city is set up so poorly, it also needs to be north to have interstate access. They have the land ready and money will be made from the racetrack as long as Lincoln supports it. I know the last assumption probably will not happen. "
Great Idea wrote on September 18, 2008 10:15 am:
" This is perfect. It has a lot of space so they can build next door and put in the slot machines once Nebraska wakes up. 84th is ideal as it will draw even more fans from Omaha. Their four days of live racing bring in several thousands of fans. "
John wrote on September 18, 2008 10:16 am:
" Have a track like Omaha. Just a bunch of TVs with a track used once a year. Horse racing is almost dead nationwide. "
independent wrote on September 18, 2008 10:40 am:
" what's the deal with this 2015 group??? our city is broke and all they want to do is spend, spend, spend.....sure a horse track might be fun every once in a while, but our city doesn't have the money to spend. do we really need to be spending $50 million on a place to go gamble when the economy is in shambles??? let's be sensible people. "
Jay wrote on September 18, 2008 11:00 am:
" I think this is a great idea. Hopefully it will bring new stores and restaurants with it. They could even try and incorporate races with the county fair since that needs all the help it can get. Plus there aren't a lot of houses in that area yet so there is no one to be bothered by it. A great addition to the Wal-Mart going up now. "
Jack wrote on September 18, 2008 11:14 am:
" NIMBY - No way, I will not tollerate the terrible stench these poor abused horses will render in my clean country fresh air. This will be fought to the end!!!! "
Fouracres wrote on September 18, 2008 11:33 am:
" I am a significant regular patron of State Fair Park, and I know that most of you never attend horseracing, because attendance and mutuel handle are abysmal during the live meet in Lincoln. Simply building a modest new track won't make for a successful business - just ask Prairie Meadows in central Iowa. But once they added slot machines - bam! Nobody still bets any real money on Prairie Meadows races, but the horsemen seem to like the purse money, so that's fine. No Goldenrod Downs will ever be built in Lincoln without a casino being the key part of such a development. So it's once again up to the Legislature - either legalize slot machines or let the horseracing industry die a slow death. If no slots, then they will need to change the current law if simulcasting will continue to be offered in Lincoln (it would be stupid not to, because simulcasting is a can't lose business). The future of horseracing is fewer and fewer live tracks, with most of those remaining being a part of a casino. The 21st Century horse player can stay at home and bet the races on satellite tv and the internet - no need to make a trip to the track, pay admission, and endure other unpleasantries. "
Red wrote on September 18, 2008 11:54 am:
" Er Brad....Horse racing is a lot quieter, the facility could be used year round, more than just horse racing....I think this is a good move, while I do agree that the fair could have moved that direction as well, what's done is done. "
Dustin wrote on September 18, 2008 12:15 pm:
" Fred: there would be no lincoln without UNL. Even the state government/capitol moved here after it was decided that UNL would be developed here in Lincoln as Nebraska's land grant University back in 1867. Know your history before bashing UNL. All lincoln would be is a small city barely the size of Grand Island if it wasn't for UNL continually bringing young minds to this city. Yes, some do leave... but many stay. "
John wrote on September 18, 2008 12:21 pm:
" The city will pay nothing here. Horse racing is a dying sports. Tracks closing everywhere. The horsemen will have to waste their own money here. Watch them on a tv. "
george wrote on September 18, 2008 3:57 pm:
" Lets tear the ball park down and put the horse track there. That way you would at least have some type of gambling available to appease the arena crowd. Then move the ball park to where the tow-in lot is (old city dump) and then clean up Oak Lake (old city dump) and build a nice swimming pool there. THEN after all this is done we can tear every thing up that was just built to build a new Highway 6. People, if you are going to live in this city you are going to have to think like the city experts, UNL,the mayor and the 2015 group thinks. "
Go figure wrote on September 18, 2008 5:39 pm:
" Have you noticed that drag strips, horse tracks, fairs and so forth are always proposed for North Lincoln/Lancaster County? Always in the lower income blue collar areas which would sustain the events. Wouldn't fly in South Lincoln, and I wouldn't have it any other way... "
Racing wrote on September 18, 2008 6:58 pm:
" Love the idea of keeping Horse Racing in Lincoln/Lancaster. What about expanding to other racing? Yes, drag strip, derby... Those could also bring in dollars. "
Figured out wrote on September 18, 2008 8:02 pm:
" South Lincoln pays for the events, north Lincoln sustains them. Sounds fair to me. "
mike wrote on December 8, 2008 2:51 am:
" im a jockey here in ne and if this is passed it would greatly improve racing in this state and generate additional revenue for the city, I would like to stay here and maybe even own some proprty but with out this i dont see racing in nebraska lasting a whole lot longer "

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