By Meredith Gardner
meredith.gardner@theindependent.com

Print Story | e-mail Story | Visit Forums

Featured Advertiser

Independent/Scott Kingsley Mayor Margaret Hornady (right) congratulates Chamber of Commerce President Cindy Johnson following first round passage of LB1116 that would move the Nebraska State Fair from Lincoln to Grand Island by 2010. Independent/Scott Kingsley Sen. Philip Erdman answers questions related to moving the state fair to Grand Island during floor debate at the Unicameral Thursday afternoon. The amendment to move the fair to Grand Island passed 44-1, while the bill it was attached to passed 44-3. Click Thumbnails to View

And after the Legislature's 44-3 vote gave overwhelming first-round approval to LB1116, a bill to move the fair to Grand Island, the three were well on their way to accomplishing that goal.

"I think it's a defining opportunity for the State Fair," said Johnson, president of the Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce.

Following five hours of discussion, the Legislature advanced the bill to a second round of debate, likely to take place sometime next week. A final vote would probably happen the week following, said Sen. Philip Erdman of Bayard, chairman of the Agriculture Committee.

If state senators pass LB1116 through the final two rounds and the bill is signed into law by the governor, the fair will move to Fonner Park no later than 2010. In moving the current State Fair Park, the bill also makes way for a University of Nebraska public/private research park adjacent to the Lincoln campus.

Erdman said he didn't expect the bill to run into any roadblocks during the following rounds, but senators can still propose amendments to LB1116.

Thursday's result garnered cheers from Vavricek, Johnson and Dunn, chairman of the chamber board, who watched the debate from the capitol rotunda throughout the day.

"I think in the last several weeks, people have initially kind of dismissed our potential for success," Vavricek said. "Now, I think they will become more aware of the impact this will mean for our community."

Dunn, chairman of the Grand Island chamber's board, said he could be "nothing but pleased" with the support shown.

"One down, two to go," he said. "It looks good."

As LB1116 currently stands, the State Fair would move to Grand Island using $5 million from the state's cash reserve, $8.5 million from Grand Island's fundraising efforts, $7 million from the State Fair Board and $21.5 million from the University of Nebraska.

The primary opposition to the bill was raised by Sen. Gail Kopplin of Gretna, who introduced four amendments that would have modified the source of the state's contribution to the plan. All four failed or were withdrawn. Another failed Kopplin amendment would've pushed the deadline for the relocation back to 2013.

Kopplin and others said they objected to applying reserve funds to the State Fair after the Legislature voted against using the same money for education.

"We heard over and over, we cannot touch that reserve ... We must have that reserve for future," Kopplin said.

The Gretna senator also questioned whether Grand Island would be able to draw the population needed to sustain the fair.

"We may simply be voting today to kill the State Fair," Kopplin said. "But I'll vote to go to Grand Island because Lincoln doesn't want it."

Sen. Ray Aguilar of Grand Island said he took exception to Kopplin's fear the fair would fail in Grand Island.

"To make the statement that this move would be the death of the State Fair is somewhat appalling," Aguilar said.

According to figures provided by Erdman's office, Grand Island could potentially draw between 289,000 and 317,000 State Fair attendees, compared to the nearly 300,000 who went to the fair in Lincoln last year.

Also throughout the day, Lincoln senators contended that the fair is wanted in its current location.

"Those of us from Lincoln do want the fair to stay here, but we just see the innovation park for us is taking priority over the fair," said Sen. Amanda McGill of Lincoln.

NU President J.B. Milliken said Thursday's vote reflected the growing consensus that moving the fair to build a university research park is a win-win situation for the state. If the bill is signed into law, he said NU leaders will then begin developing business plans for the research park.

As for Grand Island's State Fair preparations, community leaders planned to meet at 8 a.m. this morning to talk about getting ready for fair's move. They also plan to make more trips to the capitol in the weeks following to see that the bill gets final approval, Johnson said.

"We don't see it as a done deal until it's passed and signed into law," she said.

And once the bill finalized, there's still much more work to be done in preparing the city and Fonner Park to become the new home of the State Fair.

"It's just the beginning," Vavricek said.

What's next in moving the State Fair?

On Thursday, the Legislature gave first-round approval to LB1116 in a 44 to 3 vote.

The second round of debate is expected to take place sometime next week. Before that occurs, state Sen. Philip Erdman of Bayard, chairman of the Agriculture Committee, will submit a revised version of the bill. Other senators are welcome to propose amendments to the bill as well.

The final round of debate will take place after the second round, likely the following week. During that round, the Legislature will give its final vote.

If approved in the final round, LB1116 will be sent to Gov. Dave Heineman, who is expected to sign it into law.