July 7, 2007

2015 vision raises $25 million in private funds for lincoln projects

July 24, 2007 – Lincoln, Neb. – Members of 2015 Vision, a coalition of Lincoln business and civic leaders, joined Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler in providing an update on the progress on a number of priority projects for the community. 2015 Vision previously pledged its support for 10 interrelated projects to strengthen research and education, create jobs and provide new entertainment and cultural opportunities for Lincoln and Nebraska.

Terry Fairfield, a member of 2015 Vision, announced that the group has received verbal commitments for more than $25 million in philanthropic support for the various projects.
“$25 million in philanthropic support is a great start, but we know that this number will grow in the months ahead,” Fairfield said. “Everyone we talk to believes this is the right time for Lincoln to move forward, and it will take a public/private partnership to get the job done. While we don’t yet know the total cost of the various pillar projects, we do know that it will require a combination of private investments, public funding sources and philanthropic support to bring the pillars from a vision to a reality.”
2015 Vision member Tom Henning said several members of the committee have traveled to look at new arenas built around the country to determine the right size and operating plan for a new arena in Lincoln.

“A new arena offers tremendous potential for Lincoln, and we have found facilities around the country that have been successful in supporting the needs of the community and a major university,” Henning said. “We are committed to working with the City of Lincoln to determine the cost, governance structure and funding plan to ensure an arena can be successfully built and operated in our community.”
Henning said a study is underway regarding the potential to build the new arena in the Haymarket area just west of Lincoln station, and said discussions have been initiated with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad both locally and in their corporate offices.

2015 Vision member Marc LeBaron said progress is also being made on a number of other pillar projects. These include:

• A Nebraska Legislative study is underway to determine the future needs of the Nebraska State Fair and its viability at State Fair Park versus another location.
• A consultant’s study released last month regarding downtown retail development. The study, commissioned by the Downtown Lincoln Association, the Chamber of Commerce and City of Lincoln, indicated there is exciting potential to turn the P and Q Street area into a retail, business and residential community.
• A number of Lincoln residents have taken part in City of Lincoln tours of the Antelope Valley project, with progress continuing to be made on the development of this area.

2015 Vision members pledged to continue working on fundraising and supporting the efforts of Mayor Beutler and the Lincoln City Council in moving the various pillar projects forward.