March 3, 2007

Nearly 1,000 people participate in community conversations—

• Support indicated for all 10 pillar projects (pdf)

Lincoln, Neb. – 2015 Vision and Leadership Lincoln officials said that nearly 1,000 Lincoln area residents participated in the four Community Conversations held in late January and early February to talk about Lincoln’s future.  Attendance met or exceeded estimates at each school location and the vast majority of people stayed for each evening’s three-hour session.

Deane Finnegan of Leadership Lincoln said the large turnout indicated people are very excited about the potential of new development opportunities in the community.

“We had no idea how many people might turn out for the Conversations, given we were asking people in the middle of winter to take three hours out of their busy schedules and join us at our various school locations,” Finnegan said.  “The small group discussions raised a number of appropriate questions, which led to excellent discussion with the panel of community leaders.  Interest in the pillar projects recommended by 2015 Vision is clearly very high, and it is important for citizens throughout the community to continue to provide input as these projects move forward.”

Kent Seacrest, spokesman for 2015 Vision, said a project preference sheet handed out at the end of each evening showed strong support for all of the projects.  He said the projects that citizens indicated should be completed first were the University of Nebraska Research and Development Corridor and Antelope Valley, followed by the new Haymarket arena, and convention center and headquarters hotel.

“Themes that were expressed during each Conversation included the critical importance of creating new jobs and entertainment opportunities for the citizens of Lincoln and Nebraska,” Seacrest said.  “The Conversations were extremely helpful in learning what issues need to be considered as we move forward.  The pillar projects highlighted by 2015 Vision will require strong public/private partnerships, and this was an important step in that process.”

Finnegan and Seacrest publicly thanked the Lincoln Public Schools, local news media, Valentino’s and nearly 100 volunteers who helped plan and facilitate the four Conversations.  They indicated additional public meetings would be held at some point in the future.