More than 40 volunteers from Citizens FOR Jobs and the Lincoln Haymarket Arena hit the streets Sunday.
Their aim: canvassing all Lincoln neighborhoods in support of the proposed arena.
The proposed $168 million arena west of the downtown Haymarket and related infrastructure carries a $344 million pricetag. Voters will be asked May 11 to approve using an estimated $1.5 million in annual sales tax revenue generated by the arena and nearby hotels to make payments on up to $25 million worth of debt.
It's become a controversial topic around town.
Arena supporters met at their headquarters, 317 S. 12th St., Sunday to preview a new TV commercial and learn how to talk to citizens about the arena.
"It's a horse race," Phil Montag, field director for the campaign, told volunteers. "This is how we are going to win it: with voters talking to voters."
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People from many different demographics - young, old, men, women, Democrats, Republicans - filled the small headquarters and discussed different misconceptions people might have about the issue.
The goal is to educate the public, Montag said.
He said canvassing brings out 10 percent more voters than a non-canvassed neighborhood.
"Going out and talking to your neighbors and friends has more influence on them than a flier," Montag said. "We need to turn support into votes."
Volunteers have made more than 28,000 phone calls since the beginning of the year, and many voters are expressing support for the arena, according to Matt Prokop, data coordinator for the campaign.
They've had eight volunteers a day calling voters from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. every weekday and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.
But with the clock ticking and only 44 days left -- as of Sunday -- until voters fill out their ballots, time is running out.
Prokop said it's definitely feasible to reach every one of Lincoln's 147,000 registered voters.
"The more informed people are, the more likely they will vote," Montag said.
About half of the 40 or so volunteers who attended Sunday's meeting haven't worked on a political campaign before.
That was the case for Peter Stegen, a junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who said he's never felt this strong about an issue.
"There's not much to show off in Lincoln when my parents or friends come to town," Stegen said. "This arena and the surrounding development will change that."
He said bringing in bigger bands would be a huge plus for the college community.
The group also previewed a new commercial that began airing Sunday during the Husker women's basketball game.
The 30-second spot features Attorney General Jon Bruning, Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler, former state senator DiAnna Schimek, president of the Chamber of Commerce Wendy Birdsall, and former Husker basketball player Jake Muhleisen giving their reasons why they're voting yes on the arena.
"Move Lincoln forward and vote yes," Beutler said in the commercial.
Hadley Richters, campaign manager for the group, said she's happy about the positive response her group has received.
She said the anti-arena group No2Arena will have some impact, but she's not worried about it.
"This is right for Lincoln," Richters said. "There's so many people from all walks of life that support us - we have a cross section of the community.
"The opposition doesn't bother us."
Reach Jordan Pascale at 473-7120 or at jpascale@journalstar.com
