Lincoln arena back on table

LINCOLN — After nearly 10 months on the back burner, Lincoln's proposal to build a 16,000-seat sports and entertainment arena in its Haymarket district downtown is getting a new push from city leaders.

This past January, Mayor Chris Beutler called off a public vote on the $350 million project, which had been scheduled to go on the May 2009 ballot. He said the economic downturn had hindered efforts to pull together a financing plan.

On Tuesday, city leaders dusted off a $55,000 economic impact report, submitted in May with little fanfare, and brought its author to Lincoln to discuss his conclusions.

More details about the latest plans will be released in coming weeks, in hopes of putting the project before voters on May 11, said Jennifer Brinkman, a public relations consultant who is working with 2015 Vision, a group of private business leaders who support the proposal.

In a press conference, Beutler pledged that “there will be no property taxes involved in this proposition.” He declined to answer whether other local taxes might be called into play.

Beutler also said Lincoln has a “narrow window” in which to make a decision. The economic benefits of the proposal depend in part upon the arena becoming the new home of University of Nebraska-Lincoln men's and women's basketball.

“The university needs to move forward with its basketball program,” Beutler said. “It's a real concern.”

The university remains committed to the project, said spokeswoman Kelly Bartling.

Consultant Michael O'Sullivan of Bethesda, Md., said the arena, once its operations are established, could expand Lincoln's economy by about 1,200 jobs and $260 million in annual economic activity.

The total project, including private development, roads and infrastructure and other expenditures, would cost an estimated $445 million.

Although O'Sullivan said he envisioned that Lincoln would compete for events with the Qwest Center Omaha, Beutler and other Nebraska leaders stressed that the Lincoln arena would complement the Omaha arena.

By state law, it can be no bigger than 16,000 seats and still qualify for state tax incentives. The State Legislature included that provision to minimize competition with the 18,000-seat Qwest Center.

Beutler said Lincoln can't afford not to build the arena. Doing nothing will mean Lincoln, with its 50-year-old Pershing Center, will continue to lose high school athletic championships, concerts and other events to Omaha and other communities.

Contact the writer:

402-473-9581, leslie.reed@owh.com