Blog Talk Live: Debate on the West Haymarket Arena Project (with audio)

by Dennis Kornbluh

We're a little less than two months away from the May 11, 2010 election that will determine whether or not the citizens of Lincoln will choose to move forward with a $25 million bond issue to fund part of the estimated $344 million cost of the West Haymarket Arena project. While the vote is technically focused on the bond issue, it is essentially an up or down vote on the arena project itself, according to city councilman Doug Emery, whom I interviewed on Blog Talk Live in February.  In his words, "If [the people of Lincoln] vote against [the bond], which I personally hope they don't...it would effectively kill the project."

In the program on March 16th, we will continue the discussion about the arena project, but this time with a representative from each side of the issue.  The "pro-arena" view will be represented by Adam Albee, Operations Manager for Lincoln Laminating, Inc.  Adam has a bachelor of science degree from Bellevue University.  He moved from Hastings to Lincoln in 2000.  For eight years he managed a local countertop manufacturing company.  He is a member of the Lincoln Young Professionals Group and the Home Builders Association.

On the "con" side of the argument, we will hear the views of Jane Kinsey, a founding member of an organization called "No 2 Arena", whose views are represented on the website www.no2arena.com.  Jane is a Clinical Social  Worker in private practice who provides mental health treatment as an independent contractor on the preferred provider lists of employee assistance programs and health insurance companies.  Jane has lived in Lincoln since 1969 and has raised two sons here. She has volunteered for a variety of organizations in Lincoln over the years, and held leadership positions.  She also ran for the Lincoln School Board and City Council several times.  In May 2009, Jane received enough votes in the primary to be listed on the election ballot as a City Council At-Large Candidate.

For more information, you can listen to my interview with Dan Marvin, which took place last December.

Audio from this evenings show:

Arena Debate, Part 1 27:51

Arena Debate, Part 2 28:01

Jane Kinsey mentioned information that is on the city's website. Here's a link to that information:

http://lincoln.ne.gov/city/mayor/arena/index.htm

Blog Talk Live airs every Tuesday from 6-7pm on KZUM 89.3 FM, and on and on KZUM-HD, with live streaming on the web at kzum.org.

Comments

[hbrogan57]

Here's the thing about this so-called "vote". If it's "YES" then things will move on exactly as planned with the blessing of the voters. If it's "NO" then the project will move ahead through different means.

You see, the way I look at it is the people in charge of this are going to stop at nothing to get it built. Why??? Because it's good for the University.

There are MANY other places to build this that would cause a LOT less controversy than this. Easy property to buy, a LOT less cleanup, and plenty of room for ANY parking, hotels, restaurants that might spring up.

Why does it have to be downtown? Because THAT'S where the University is located. God forbid that Lincoln does ANYTHING that won't or can't have anything to do with the Big Red Machine.

Lincoln still has that "Good Ol' Boy" mentality. Has had that for YEARS. Some things need to change and Lincoln needs to join the 21st century. But that's probably wishful thinking.