I understand that Lincoln needs a new convention center/arena to bring more business into the city. Obviously, Pershing Auditorium (where I witnessed DC Talk, the Harlem Globetrotters and my own high school graduation—not at the same time, however, but wouldn’t that have been fun?) is outdated and ill-equipped. My question is this: Why not tear down Pershing and build a new venue in its place? I’m concerned about the prospect of creating a new, unsightly, unwieldy convention center in our quaint historic Haymarket district. If the new structure could somehow fit in aesthetically with the bricked streets and train station, though, perhaps it would be a good idea.
What say you, Lincolnites?
8 Comments
andrew Dec 16, 2004 5:11 PM
correct me if i’m wrong, but isn’t omaha having some problems with the qwest center in terms of covering costs and booking quality shows? i heard something like that a while ago.
i think the best location would be cooper park. there’s tons of parking along south 8th street, plus there’s this one lady who leaves free potted plants and rocking chairs on her porch!
Lindsey Dec 16, 2004 5:19 PM
I wouldn’t be opposed to something in the place of Pershing, though the mural is kind of cool (aka its been there for as long as I can remember, I think I’d miss it) and where then would they hold the rodeo? Pressing questions, indeed.
sarah Dec 16, 2004 6:50 PM
put it in pershing’s place, i say…
RT Dec 16, 2004 10:44 PM
I was just informed that Pershing takes up only 1 city block whereas the new center requires 4 city blocks. Ah, there’s the rub!
sarah Dec 18, 2004 11:20 PM
four city blocks?!? that seems like too much space to me…but i’m also not very informed on this subject.
RT Dec 18, 2004 11:33 PM
Sarah, so good to see you in the real world!! Sleep tight, my friend. If you’re up early then perhaps we’ll cross paths at church, too. : )
dena Dec 20, 2004 10:17 AM
hmm… yah, I would have to say that my top choice would not be IN the haymarket. Near, defintely, but not in. Why not build it over by Haymarket Park? There’s a great pedestrian bridge to move people from there to the Haymarket, so why not make more use of it?
I don’t think it should go where Pershing is- although part of me also thinks it should not go at all- anywhere! The Quest Center has struggled, and I doubt that Lincoln will pull more “big” acts than Omaha. But the whole thing was a mess from the start, since Council Bluffs built there state-of-the-art facility right across the river before Quest. Do we really need 3 convention centers within 100 miles??
sarah Dec 20, 2004 3:50 PM
i say no, we don’t.
and thanks, rt, it’s good to be seen in the real world…wonderful, actually.