The University of Nebraska Board of Regents will once again tackle the issue of turning the former State Fair Park into an Innovation Campus.
During its Friday meeting, the board will discuss a proposal from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln that would allow the university to seek proposals to dispose of or remove the Industrial Arts Building from the State Fair Park.
The building was built in 1913 to meet the needs of the Nebraska State Fair, according to a report to the board. However, it has not been used since 2004. Regent Jim McClurg of Lincoln described the building as being "in terrible shape."
If passed by the board, the building would not be moved or destroyed until at least July 1.
McClurg said he expected some people to speak against moving the building during the public comment portion of the board's meeting – or at least push for a delaying of its removal.
Other topics that will be discussed during the board's meeting Friday include:
• Approval of a West Haymarket Joint Public Agency Agreement with the City of Lincoln. The agreement would act as a coordinating entity between the university and city in paying for the proposed Haymarket arena. UNL would use the arena for its men's and women's basketball games.
• Approval of the program statement and budget for renovations of the sixth floor of Hamilton Hall. The $6.8 million renovation would include equipment upgrades, integration of meeting and interaction spaces and expansion of restrooms.
• Approval of the appointments of three new deans at UNL: Donde Plowman for the College of Business Administration, Gary Kebbel for the College of Journalism and Mass Communications and Susan Poser for the College of Law. All three deans were selected by UNL last month.
The Board of Regents will meet at 10 a.m. Friday at Varner Hall.
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