By Meredith Gardner
meredith.gardner@theindependent.com

And until it's able to see that vision and how that vision can be paid for it may be difficult for the committee to decide on bills that could affect the fair's location.

The ag committee met in executive session for a little more than an hour Wednesday morning to talk about forwarding a number of bills to the floor for debate, including LB1116, the committee's priority bill for addressing the State Fair's location.

While many committee members said the issues of the fair's future and location need to be resolved this session, no decisions were made Wednesday.

It was the first time the senators met to discuss the issues surrounding the State Fair since the debate about its location began 14 months ago. After discussing the issue for about 25 minutes, the senators agreed more work would have to be done before the committee could finalize a draft of LB1116.

As it stands, the bill would remove from state statute the requirement that the fair remain in its current Lincoln spot. It would also require the University of Nebraska or other entity acquiring the current State Fair Park to pay at least $30 million toward the fair's move once the State Fair board notifies the state that it will vacate the property.

That would allow the University of Nebraska to use the land at State Fair Park for a public/private research corridor.

State Sen. Philip Erdman of Bayard, chairman of the ag committee, said it would be wise for the committee to obtain "highest and best use" studies for all three of the sites under consideration.

Those studies would address the most viable way to use the land at the three potential fair locations the current State Fair Park, the Lancaster Events Center in Lincoln and the Heartland Events Center/Fonner Park in Grand Island and would help predict whether the fair would be successful in those locations. They would also show if the fairgrounds should be used for a research park instead.

"It's a relocation, not an eviction," Erdman said. "(We) want both entities to be successful. Both have to be treated fairly in the process."

The committee needs to take into account what is in the best interest of the fair, the university and the state as a whole, said state Sen. Don Preister of Bellevue.

But before it can do so, the fair must have a clear vision for the future and look to innovate, Preister said.

"I'm looking at not a traditional State Fair, but what do we want for the state of Nebraska?" Preister said.

The fair's current location is not very accessible, said state Sen. Norm Wallman of Cortland.

And the activity is also not adequately meeting the needs of the state's citizens, said state Sen. Vickie McDonald of St. Paul.

"With that not happening, the future is uncertain no matter where we move," she said.

Before it can direct the fair to move or stay, the committee must also have an idea of where funding would come from, Erdman said. No matter what, the event will need millions of dollars in funding to make improvements and build new facilities.

During a public hearing last week, fair board officials estimated it would cost $52 million to move the fair to Grand Island, $94 million to move it to the east Lincoln location and $30 million to make improvements at the current location.

The committee is also trying to address the viability of the university's research park idea, said state Sen. Annette Dubas of Fullerton. While it may serve as an economic engine, the park is expected to require tens of millions of dollars in investment from the state, and there are still too many unanswered questions about the development's cost and vision, Dubas said.

As for alternative locations for the fair, Dubas said Grand Island leaders presented a clear vision and plan for moving the fair during the ag committee's public hearing last week.

"But it is a much more complex question than that," Dubas said.

"I also think Grand Island would do an excellent job," McDonald said. "But it's all about the money at this point."

Erdman said the committee will likely have a "drop-dead day" within the next week to 10 days when it will finalize its draft of LB1116. The committee may give specific, clear direction on the fair's future, or it may allow the outside groups to resolve the issue.

Erdman said he does not want to wait until the end of the session to make a decision, and he does not expect the committee to answer all the questions still up in the air about the fair and the university research park.

However, Erdman said he will continue to push the parties involved to come forward with ideas and solutions on the fair's vision and funding. The groups should consider this their time to help wrap up the situation, as the chairman has plans to craft a legitimate solution and allow the public enough time to consider it.

State Sen. Russ Karpisek of Wilber said the parties involved have had ample time to give presentations and offer solutions, and it's time for everyone to move along.

"I think it's drug on way long enough, and it's time to do something," Karpisek said.