The 2015 Vision Group and the City of Lincoln have joined forces to carry out a dynamic, visionary plan for the West Haymarket area of Downtown.

The proposed West Haymarket development concept is an outgrowth of several community planning efforts - the most recent being the Mayor's Event Facility Task Force. After many months of research and dialogue, the Mayor's Task Force concluded the Lincoln community would be well served by building a modern arena, hotel, and convention center. Their preferred location for these facilities was the West Haymarket district.

Following receipt of the Task Force's final report, Mayor Seng formally asked the 2015 Vision Group in a February 2, 2007, letter to help take on the West Haymarket development concept - along with several other challenging community and economic development projects. The 2015 Vision Group graciously embraced the offer and began working with the City to organize a team of community leaders and professional staff to pursue the West Haymarket concept.

The 2015 Vision West Haymaket Action Team's draft Mission Statement calls for them to "further the quality development, vitality, and long term viability of West Haymarket and its environs. This is to be accomplished in part by cultivating, promoting, and putting in place sustainable private-public partnerships." The type of facilities envisioned by the Mission Statement for the Action Team to pursue include:

• Multi-purpose Arena
• Convention Center and Exhibit Space
• Hotel and Lodging Facilities
• Retailing Opportunities
• Office and Services Space
• Residential Units

In addition, the Action Team is to investigate the physical infrastructure needed to support the West Haymarket vision. This includes streets and highways, parking, pedestrian access, utilities, rail service, and district energy services.

As the Action Team goes about its work during the ensuing months, it is imperative that the process and resulting projects respect the existing fabric, current businesses, and historic character of Lincoln's investment in the Haymarket District and greater Downtown area.

Some of the functional tasks to be researched and carried out by the West Haymarket Action Team during their tenure include:

• Property Acquisition
• Site Preparation
• Environmental Mitigation
• Project Financing
• Management/Administrative Structure
• State and Local Legislation
• Legal Documents
• Building/Facility Design
• Land Uses
• Infrastructure Development
• Ownership Rights
• Marketing Strategy
• Implementation Program and Schedule

The 2015 Vision West Haymarket Action Team is composed of members drawn from a broad range of interests from the greater Lincoln community:

• Mayor Beutler, City of Lincoln (Tri-Chair)
• Wendy Birdsall (Tri-Chair)
• Dick Campbell
• Chancellor Harvey Perlman
• Tom Osborne
• Terry Fairfield
• Mike Dunlap
• Amy Tipton
• Lynn Wilson
• Cathy Beecham
• Charles Hull
• Liz Shotkoski
• Linda Wilson
• Doug Lienemann
• Terry Uland

Staff support to the Action Team will be drawn from Lincoln's public and private sectors. It will include individuals with the range of skills sought by the Action Team.