LIBA Backs City Council Resolution on Bids for Pershing Center
Recently there has been a lot of buzz about Pershing Center. We think that shining a bright light on the availability of this property is a positive step for Lincoln.
The Lincoln Independent Business Association (LIBA) strongly supports Councilman John Camp’s resolution directing Mayor Buetler to issue a request for proposals for Pershing Center. Pershing Center has sat vacant for far too long. The time has come for the Mayor to get serious about selling the Pershing Center and get it on the tax rolls.
The longer Pershing Center sits vacant, the more potential tax revenue for the City of Lincoln will be lost. In the meantime, the City is actually losing money on the property as it continues to spend approximately $120,000 a year to keep the building’s pipes from freezing, its alarm system working and for basic repairs.
When Lincoln voters went to the polls in 2010 to approve the issuance of a $25 million bond to fund the construction of Pinnacle Bank arena, it was understood that the sale of Pershing Center would help offset the costs of building the new arena.
It has been over five years since the Mayor last sought proposals for the sale of Pershing Center, and that process was marred by too many rules and regulations to expedite the sale or redevelopment of Pershing Center. We believe these extensive rules may have had a repressive effect on potential developers.
The sale of Pershing Center is a win-win for the City of Lincoln. Not only does it offer a tremendous opportunity to contribute to the economic growth that is happening downtown, it also has the potential to provide much needed property tax relief for Lincoln homeowners.
LIBA believes the sale and development of Pershing Center is the responsible business approach and is more than willing to help promote its sale or to listen to potential solutions.
Would you like to join us at LIBA? Business memberships start at only $275 a year. However, individuals who are pro-business and believe in a conservative approach to government are also encouraged to join for only $110. For more information on joining LIBA, please call me at (402) 466-3419. You will also find more information about LIBA by visiting our web site www.liba.org. You can also find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LIBA.lincoln. Thank you and have a great day!
LIBA studies and promotes these types of issues that are important to businesses and our community. If you have an interest in joining LIBA, please call me at (402) 466-3419. LIBA membership is not restricted to just businesses. We also have “individual” memberships for those who want to help influence our local government decisions.
For more information on LIBA, visit Liba.org.