LINCOLN, Nebraska: Lincoln may not need to build a new downtown convention center, despite concerns that the city is losing out on events because of a lack of facilities, according to a new report by a development consultant.
Denver-based consultant Progressive Urban Management Associates recently presented officials with a new downtown master plan, the Lincoln Journal Star reported.
The company used a formula factoring in the downtown area’s hotel rooms to calculate how much convention space the city needs. A new convention center should be about 150,000 square feet (14,000 square meters), the plan said.
But the study also noted that Lincoln has nearly 200,000 square feet (18,500 square meters) of downtown convention space spread out across multiple venues, including hotel space, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Pinnacle Bank Arena.
The city could find ways to maximize the existing venues to meet event needs instead of investing in a new facility, the report said. Further research is needed to determine if the city could support a larger convention center, the report said.
“There must first be significant options for retail, restaurants, parks, walkability and other amenities to attract visitors,” the report said.
Most of Lincoln’s peers, including Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Lansing, Michigan, have a downtown convention center, the report said.
Events are choosing other cities that have more available space, said Derek Feyerherm, the director of sales and operations for the Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“From our perspective, there’s definitely a need for a meeting and convention space in Lincoln in the downtown area,” he said.
Lincoln would primarily compete to attract regional and state conferences, instead of larger events that would more likely choose Omaha, Feyerherm said.
“It would be difficult for us to go after big national conventions with the Omaha convention center and the airport and flights there,” he said. AP
Thank You For Your Vote!
Sorry You have Already Voted!
