Omaha World Herald wrote: Lincoln, State Fair near deal on matching funds
LINCOLN - It appears that a roadblock for the Nebraska State Fair to begin receiving its voter-approved state lottery funds will be overcome.
And the long-term solution may include the City of Lincoln annexing the fairgrounds, so an additional city sales tax can be imposed on fairgoers.
That was the outcome of a joint meeting Tuesday of the Lincoln City Council and the Lancaster County Board.
Officials of both agreed in principle to evenly split the first matching payment of $50,000, due April 1, that is required before the fair receives state lottery money.
Under a constitutional amendment approved by voters last November, the fair's host community must provide an annual 10 percent match to the projected $2 million a year in funding from lottery proceeds.
The "$200,000 question" had frustrated fair officials - and vexed city and county officials, who said they hadn't anticipated that new spending in their tight budgets.
Now, the County Board will seek approval for drawing $25,000 from a keno reserve fund, and the City Council will request $25,000 from contingency funds.
But Lancaster County Commissioner Larry Hudkins cautioned that the tentative arrangement is just for the first payment, not a future county commitment.
A long-term solution, the officials said, would include seeking private contributions to the fair from Lincoln and such potential revenue sources as county visitor promotion funds. Annexing the property is also part of the answer, officials said.
Mark Bowen, chief of staff to Lincoln Mayor Coleen Seng, said the city could generate about $100,000 per year in additional sales taxes if State Fair Park became part of the city.
Under an annexation, Bowen said the fair and the state would continue to own and maintain its streets, sewers and buildings. It was unclear what changes might occur, but as part of Lincoln, the fairgrounds would be included under the city's new ban on smoking.
Fair officials have said they need the first payment of $500,000 from lottery funds to begin booking concerts and making other improvements.
Nebraska State Fair and Lincoln coming together on funding
Moderators: Coyote, nebugeater, Brad, Omaha Cowboy, BRoss
Nebraska State Fair and Lincoln coming together on funding
I'm excited to see what the state fair does with an extra $2 million plus a year in money. This is a pretty hefty chunk of change.
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projectman
- Human Relations
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- Joined: Wed Sep 01, 2004 9:44 pm
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The Huston family loves the state fair... I think it's a great use of state lottery funds, but can't please everyone.
http://www.eomaha.com/gallery/fair
http://www.eomaha.com/gallery/fair
I think it's funny when you refer to how much better (for example) the Iowa State Fair, major league sports, etc... are than their alternatives here in Nebraska... and yet you would never attend ANY of them anyway. Not enough seats? Not high enough? Not worth my time.
Well, fortunately the state fair saw a 10% rise in attendance last year... which by the way was nearly identical to the CWS's attendance. We've invested millions in the CWS... a few million in one of our state's cultural icons is money worth spending in my opinion.
Well, fortunately the state fair saw a 10% rise in attendance last year... which by the way was nearly identical to the CWS's attendance. We've invested millions in the CWS... a few million in one of our state's cultural icons is money worth spending in my opinion.
My two cents worth.
The state fair is an icon worth preserving and more importantly building upon. It represents some of the ideas and values that are uniquely Nebraska in their application.
For several years we did not reinvest in the fair and as a result it has suffered. Many people do enjoy the fair. But not as much these last few years when it has been neglected in terms of management. Omaha is important to this state but so are all of the other communities and cultures. When the fair gets back up to speed, I think many of you who may not have seen the fair in its heyday will find it a much more worthwhile experience. Mind you, it won't be an urban event but rather like visiting something like Agland or Smalltown Land if there were such a themed area at the Magic Kingdom. Could be a nice temporary diversion for us urban dwellers.
Regarding the Iowa State Fair, it represents why we should choose to reinvest back into our fair. The Iowa fair is a world renowned event and brings much positive publicity to that state. At one point the Iowa State Fair had run down significantly. But they reinvested and built upon it and now they're an example of success and something that Iowans unite around. We can do the same. But again not just for the publicity but for the values of the fair itself.
The Iowa State Fair also benefits from being in the geographic and populaton center of Iowa. Plus Iowa just has a larger population base to draw from to begin with.
As the country becomes more and more urban, these non-urban attractions begin to have a unique appeal just for their charm as being counter to everthing else that is available. Living History Farms in Des Moines is a good example of this phenomenon.
Regarding Septemberfest and the Nebraska State Fair, the two events have overlap in the carnival area but that is about it. They really are two different events if you care to really explore all the nuances of both. If I were to say let's get rid of an event it would be Septemberfest or River City Roundup long before the state fair. Plus, as was stated elsewhere on this forum, too many of Omaha's events have turned into these "Parking Lot" events. Sorry, but if I am going to spend my time in a parking lot, I would rather be tailgaiting at a spring or fall sporting event.
However, why not just move Septemberfest a few days so it doesn't go head to head with the state fair. When Terry Moore came up with Septemberfest as a Salute to Labor he could have ignored Labor Day Weekend and went a few weeks later. Septemberfest is hurt as well by this head to head competition thing. Septemberfest would probably see an attendance spike by not competing with the state fair. Probably the same with state fair attendance. Why not combine RiverCity Roundup with the already combined Septemberfest/Douglas County Fair and use the later dates associated with RCR?
Looks like I ended up venting more than two cents worth....
The state fair is an icon worth preserving and more importantly building upon. It represents some of the ideas and values that are uniquely Nebraska in their application.
For several years we did not reinvest in the fair and as a result it has suffered. Many people do enjoy the fair. But not as much these last few years when it has been neglected in terms of management. Omaha is important to this state but so are all of the other communities and cultures. When the fair gets back up to speed, I think many of you who may not have seen the fair in its heyday will find it a much more worthwhile experience. Mind you, it won't be an urban event but rather like visiting something like Agland or Smalltown Land if there were such a themed area at the Magic Kingdom. Could be a nice temporary diversion for us urban dwellers.
Regarding the Iowa State Fair, it represents why we should choose to reinvest back into our fair. The Iowa fair is a world renowned event and brings much positive publicity to that state. At one point the Iowa State Fair had run down significantly. But they reinvested and built upon it and now they're an example of success and something that Iowans unite around. We can do the same. But again not just for the publicity but for the values of the fair itself.
The Iowa State Fair also benefits from being in the geographic and populaton center of Iowa. Plus Iowa just has a larger population base to draw from to begin with.
As the country becomes more and more urban, these non-urban attractions begin to have a unique appeal just for their charm as being counter to everthing else that is available. Living History Farms in Des Moines is a good example of this phenomenon.
Regarding Septemberfest and the Nebraska State Fair, the two events have overlap in the carnival area but that is about it. They really are two different events if you care to really explore all the nuances of both. If I were to say let's get rid of an event it would be Septemberfest or River City Roundup long before the state fair. Plus, as was stated elsewhere on this forum, too many of Omaha's events have turned into these "Parking Lot" events. Sorry, but if I am going to spend my time in a parking lot, I would rather be tailgaiting at a spring or fall sporting event.
However, why not just move Septemberfest a few days so it doesn't go head to head with the state fair. When Terry Moore came up with Septemberfest as a Salute to Labor he could have ignored Labor Day Weekend and went a few weeks later. Septemberfest is hurt as well by this head to head competition thing. Septemberfest would probably see an attendance spike by not competing with the state fair. Probably the same with state fair attendance. Why not combine RiverCity Roundup with the already combined Septemberfest/Douglas County Fair and use the later dates associated with RCR?
Looks like I ended up venting more than two cents worth....
My old signature got too old. So old it was getting almost as old me as me. Yeah, it was up there in years.
Thank you.
At least the State Fair has some cultural/historical significance. In my estimation, Septemberfest should be abolished entirely. Let's face it, it was created to create a new entertainment event... and it made sense to do it downtown. Well now we suddenly have the RCR and county fair downtown at nearly the same time. It would make much more sense to throw the resources of Septemberfest into making RCR and the fair event that much more appealing. Heck, call it River City Septemberfest.
And of COURSE the Iowa State fair is going to draw at LEAST twice as many people just on population alone. And arguably, a larger proportion of it's population is also under the agricultural influence. Naturally, the larger draw is going to sustain more investment in the event, making it that much better and subsequently drawing people from outside the region as well.
Does that mean we drop the Nebraska State Fair? Of course not. DTO would rather see Omaha (and Nebraska) have no sports, no entertainment, no amusements, no nothing... if it isn't be the biggest and best, 'professional', 'seat the most', etc, etc. DTO... why not move to Atlanta, or Dallas, or some place where you will finally have the distinctions to brag about (not necessarily partake in) which you think are so critical to making a city great.
At least the State Fair has some cultural/historical significance. In my estimation, Septemberfest should be abolished entirely. Let's face it, it was created to create a new entertainment event... and it made sense to do it downtown. Well now we suddenly have the RCR and county fair downtown at nearly the same time. It would make much more sense to throw the resources of Septemberfest into making RCR and the fair event that much more appealing. Heck, call it River City Septemberfest.
And of COURSE the Iowa State fair is going to draw at LEAST twice as many people just on population alone. And arguably, a larger proportion of it's population is also under the agricultural influence. Naturally, the larger draw is going to sustain more investment in the event, making it that much better and subsequently drawing people from outside the region as well.
Does that mean we drop the Nebraska State Fair? Of course not. DTO would rather see Omaha (and Nebraska) have no sports, no entertainment, no amusements, no nothing... if it isn't be the biggest and best, 'professional', 'seat the most', etc, etc. DTO... why not move to Atlanta, or Dallas, or some place where you will finally have the distinctions to brag about (not necessarily partake in) which you think are so critical to making a city great.
Combining RCR and Septemberfest doesn't sound like a bad idea. It seems the last few RCRs haven't been as good as they were before. What happened to those hot air balloons and the buttons for the activities? There used to be alot more stuff to do.
Jeff, if I wanted to live someplace else I could but I don't. I love Omaha and have been to more than enough places to know that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. I'm just more voacl in my support.
Jeff, if I wanted to live someplace else I could but I don't. I love Omaha and have been to more than enough places to know that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. I'm just more voacl in my support.
DTO
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nativeomahan
- County Board
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- Location: Omaha and Puerto Vallarta
It is all but settled that the Nebraska State BBQ Championship, now in its 14th year, will make the trek from the Qwest Center down to State Fair Park, Aug. 26-27, thanks to the infusion of $2 million dollars into the Fair. This will be a big event for Lincoln, as it attracts some of the nation's best cookers, from up to 10 states.