Susan Watson celebrates as the numbers show voter support for the arena growing at a pro-arena gathering held at the Embassy Suites on Tuesday, May 11, 2010. (TED KIRK / Lincoln Journal Star)
TED KIRK
Now that voters have green-lighted the arena project, wheels
will begin turning immediately.
What happens next?
"More meetings," arena coordinator Dan Marvin said.
One of the first things that must be finalized is purchase of
land, primarily from Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway and Union
Pacific Railroad.
"There are land title issues that need to be worked through, but
the time frame we have discussed is sometime between late June to
mid-July for closing on the BNSF (land) and the UP (land)," Marvin
said via e-mail.
After the city takes title to the property, work would begin in
what's called the Wye area northwest of the downtown post office,
where traffic on an active BNSF bridge would be switched over to an
abandoned UP bridge.
Grading work for the new track would be done, and the city would
install a liner over some sewer lines in the Wye area.
Some of the storage tracks west of Lincoln Station would be
removed at the same time.
The Amtrak line would stay put until 2012, but some other tracks
would be removed and environmental work would begin.
The Lincoln City Council must approve land purchases and a new
occupation tax on bars, restaurants, hotel rooms and car
rentals.
Marvin said the city "wants to visit with stakeholders about
what that amounts to."
Those taxes are expected to become effective Jan. 1.
The city already is advertising for a consultant to handle
environmental analysis and remediation and will begin advertising
for other services, including a program manager.
The Urban Design Committee and Historical Preservation Committee
will review designs as the project proceeds.
Susan Watson celebrates as the numbers show voter support for the arena growing at a pro-arena gathering held at the Embassy Suites on Tuesday, May 11, 2010. (TED KIRK / Lincoln Journal Star)
