A preliminary estimate of the proposed UNL research park's cost to taxpayers is $300 million. Quick, what's your first impression of that price tag? Got it? OK, read on.
My first impression was that the cost sounded about right. It may even be a bit on the low side of my expectations. The overall public/private investment estimate is around $1 billion. Again, that feels about right. The Antelope Valley's price tag has been pegged at around $1 billion as well ($250 million public, $750 million private).
I hope the debate over State Fair Park's future use doesn't turn into a simple decision centered on the cost of the available options. The issue is so, so much more complex than simple dollars. At play are the emotional attachment to the State Fair; the future of UNL; usage of a critical piece of Lincoln real estate; and dozens of other factors.
I support UNL's vision for the land. I don't want Lincoln (or Nebraska) to lose the State Fair, but the Fair's potential contributions to the city and state are far below what we should expect from a research campus. I wish I could be more enthusiastic about the Fair's future, but right now the evidence doesn't suggest to me that the Fair is a good long-term investment. I'm willing to be convinced otherwise. A research park, on the other hand, is an excellent long-term generator of quality jobs, tax income, and private investment.
Getting back to UNL's estimated price tag, $300 million, despite being near my expectations, certainly isn't cheap. I would be much more comfortable with spending that kind of money if I knew that private research firms were committed to starting up operations on opening day. I don't doubt that's possible -- even likely -- but it's something we won't know until we've committed to building the park. Classic chicken and egg. Generally speaking, Nebraskans like the sure thing, or at least what they perceive to be the sure thing. Right now, the State Fair -- in existence for years and years -- is the sure thing. Unseating it will be no easy task.
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And…yet again the taxpayers are going to be asked to help foot the bill. And we get to foot the bill that will have limited use for US, THE TAXPAYERS. Other than walking or driving through it. At least with the Antelope Project we ALL can use it if we so desire.
To expect taxpayers to fund something that most will probably never be able or allowed to use is just, quite simply, a crock of bull. The University, if they want this so bad, should put up the money themselves.
I think a research corridor and the economic impact of that would absolutely be a benefit to all the taxpayers of the state, much more so than the state fair is, was, or will be.
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