I want to support the idea of the University of Nebraska and the State Fair sharing the same land. It sounds like a fine idea. Compromise, yay!
Sometimes compromise is great, but more often than not, compromise creates as many problems as it solves. This may be one of those cases. In the short term, a land sharing agreement would be fine. Sure there would be some problems with parking and transportation during the Fair, but those issues could be resolved. In the long term -- say, 15+ years out -- there's no way a successful Fair and a world class research park can commingle. If we're going to put resources into both the Fair and the research park, eventually the two will butt heads. And then what?
If UNL is going to create a research park at State Fair Park, eventually the Fair has to leave. Not today, and not necessarily five or ten years from now. But that time will come, and it will come sooner than we might think. That doesn't make the land sharing idea a bad one in the short term, but let's not forget that a compromise today is only putting off the inevitable.
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I agree that it’s probably a short term solution.
Is the space big enough anyway for a research park? The one they were looking at in NC is about 1300 acres, and we’re looking at just 251 acres. So often, Lincoln doesn’t think big enough or long term enough.
Has ANYONE been by the fairgrounds recently???? There seems to be a LOT of construstion going on. The fences by the 17th street gate along State Fair Park drive have been moved closer to the railroad tracks. Trees have been removed and road repair has begun. Also, on north 14th there is some ground leveling happening close to the campgrounds. Just wondering if there hasn’t already been some sort of a deal made.
That all sounds like work associated with the Antelope Valley Project.
Mr. Wilson. Perhaps the wor on 14th street has to do with the project. But what about the fence, tree removal and road work between 17th and 27th. This seems far removed form the Antelope Valley project.
Even the work on 14th street seems a little odd. It appears that they are leveling ot the land either for more parking ((which I doubt)) or for building something as yet to be announced.
It looks like most of the Antelope Valley work in this area has been completed as they are working now closer to Abel Hall.
The 17th to 27th stuff is, indeed, part of the Antelope Valley Project. A new roadway is being built. Completion is due in 2010. Check out the Antelope Valley Project site. This map gives a good general overview of the work area.
Isn’t the 17th and Holdredge construction the beginning of hooking Holdredge up to the bridge and overpass? I work in the neighborhood and was told the utilities were going to be done November through May.
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