UPDATE: City council okays Railyard game day expansion
UPDATE:
On Monday, the Lincoln City Council voted to approve a special license that would expand the Railyard’s designated area for the Nebraska–Purdue game.
Currently, alcohol can only be consumed inside the gates of the Railyard, but this would push those boundaries out to R and Canopy streets.
Railyard management said they see around 1,500 people on game day and that by expanding the designated area, it would relieve some of the crowding.
“It’s pretty crowded within the Railyard footprint,” said Railyard Entertainment LL General Manager Brian Krajewski. “So by expanding the footprint and allowing people into the street with their beverages, you kind of just create a more appealing atmosphere for hang out and enjoy themselves.”
It would also add four more police officers to help control the area. Police Chief Jeff Bliemeister said this would force them to divert police officers from other areas on game day, like Memorial Stadium and the Bottoms neighborhood.
Some council members don’t like the sound of that.
“I just don’t think that we have the staff to do it right now,” said Councilwoman Cyndi Lamm. “And I think that because our number one role is to provide for safety of our residents that we need to pay really close attention to that.”
Others think the proposal is a good idea for improving railyard safety on game day.
“If we open them up to freely go about into the streets that are closed off, I think that is a better situation rather than to cram all those people in a smaller space, prohibiting easier access and movement,” said Councilwoman Jane Raybould.
None of this is set in stone yet. Mayor Chris Beutler still has to sign off on it.
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The Railyard is one step closer to expanding drinking boundaries for the Nebraska–Purdue game.
The Lincoln City Council voted 4-3 to give it the go ahead Monday.
It would allow the Husker game day party to spill out onto R and Canopy streets. It would also add four more police officers to help control the area.
Railyard management said they see around 1,500 people on game day and that by expanding the designated area, it would relieve some of the crowding.
“It’s pretty crowded within the Railyard footprint,” said Railyard Entertainment LL General Manager Brian Krajewski. “So by expanding the footprint and allowing people into the street with their beverages, you kind of just create a more appealing atmosphere for hang out and enjoy themselves”
Police Chief Jeff Bliemeister said this would force them to divert police officers from other areas on game day, like Memorial Stadium and the Bottoms neighborhood.
It’s not set in stone yet. Mayor Beutler still has to sign off on it.
