Bill would seek UNL plan for research park on fair site
BYLINE: Leslie Reed, WORLD-HERALD BUREAU
DATELINE: LINCOLN
LINCOLN -- A bill introduced Monday would give the University of Nebraska-Lincoln until Nov. 1 to submit a master plan for transforming State Fair Park and other land east and north of UNL's downtown campus into a research and development park.
State Sen. Ron Raikes of Lincoln said he introduced Legislative Bill 131 at the request of lobbyists Bill Mueller, Larry Ruth and Kim Robak, who are being paid $35,000 to represent Vision 2015, a Lincoln business group advocating for the changed use of State Fair Park.
However, he said, he has no position on the issue.
"I think we should gather the information to find out if it's workable," Raikes said. "My hope and intention would be that it is, in fact, an objective, careful analysis."
Raikes said his intent is for the university to work with the State Fair Board as well as the City of Lincoln and the State Department of Administrative Services in developing a plan.