The Nebraska State Fair has one year left before the University of Nebraska-Lincoln begins creating a research and economic development center.
According to Legislative Bill 1116, the deed for the State Fair Park transfers to the University of Nebraska Board of Regents either on or before Dec. 31, 2009.
The Nebraska State Fair will move to Grand Island, a relocation costing UNL $21.5 million, paid in increments with a final payment due July 1, 2009.
As this year's fair comes to a close, UNL officials are poring over plans submitted by national and local land developers and planners for what will be called Nebraska Innovation Campus.
In early July, the university initiated a request for information (RFI), asking developers "for their thoughts regarding development approaches we might take for the Innovation Campus," said Christine Jackson, vice chancellor for business and finance.
UNL received 10 information submissions from national and local developers Aug. 15.
"We are currently in the process of reading those," Jackson said. "The information we received from these RFIs should give us enough information to help us focus on what we want to include in our ... formal request that we will issue this fall."
RFIs are important because they allow UNL to see the ideas other companies have without having to sign a formal agreement, said William Nunez, director of Institutional Research and Planning.
"A lot of things have opportunity. That's why we did this RFI," he said. "There are many ways of developing this (project)."
Some developers might be less experienced than others, but all ideas have potential, he added.
"First we have to see what we have (and) then follow through to the next steps," Nunez said. "Follow-up conversations with those who submitted information packets (is) where it's headed. The first job is to see what the experience level is and who is interested in partnering with the university."
Most of the basic research that can propel the American economy is conducted on U.S. university campuses. Many private sector companies have found marketplace success because of connections with universities, according to a UNL press release.
"Nebraska Innovation Campus is an opportunity for businesses to locate to Lincoln," Jackson said, "(businesses which) can establish close working ties with the university, so that we have opportunities for collaborative research and opportunities for our students to have work experiences and internships."
It's an exciting project for the university, Nunez said.
"It's going to really change this institution and the state for the better."
jamieklein@dailynebraskan.com
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