City and County leaders are moving forward with a series of property agreements aimed at supporting a proposed downtown convention center and a new StarTran transportation hub. The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners approved agreements Tuesday that would allow the County to purchase property near 13th and M Streets for $4.2 million.
The property would be used for a new parking garage to support the County’s proposed convention center planned for the adjacent block near the Marriott Cornhusker Hotel. The garage would provide additional parking for conventions and events downtown.
The County also approved a purchase option for the northeast corner of Block 65, currently a parking lot next to the Sharp Building. If used for the convention center project, the County would pay the City $1.6 million for the property.
As part of the agreement, Lancaster County will sell land bordered by Ninth, 10th, G and H Streets to the City of Lincoln for $3.3 million. The property would be used for StarTran’s planned Multi-modal Transportation Center, which would include 19 outdoor bus bays, administrative offices, covered waiting areas, bike and scooter access, and indoor restrooms.
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird says the agreements help advance two major investments in Lincoln’s future. The agreements now go before the Lincoln City Council for consideration on June 29th.