Platt County Fair Foundation unveils plan for on‑site rebuild with 5,000‑seat amphitheater in Columbus City

The Platt County Fair Foundation on March 2 presented a conceptual plan to rebuild the county fairgrounds in Columbus City on the existing 97‑acre site, proposing an event center for roughly 1,000–1,500 people, a multi‑purpose livestock building and a 5,000‑seat outdoor amphitheater.

"It's owned by the Platt County Fair Foundation. It's a 501(c)(3)," said Jeff Johnson, one of two foundation presenters, stressing the foundation's stated role to support the Platt County A Society and the annual fair. Johnson told the Committee of the Whole the foundation is not seeking city funding at this meeting: "We're not asking for any money today." Dennis Granon, the other presenter, said the foundation has contracted planning and engineering firms and is developing a phased build tied to fundraising.

The presenters said early seed funding — a $25,000 LB840 loan from the city, $25,000 from the visitors bureau and a $25,000 donation from the Platt County A Society — allowed them to hire Stone Planning to complete a feasibility study and HDR (Omaha) to perform a site analysis and produce two site plans. After studying options, the board decided to pursue an on‑site rebuild rather than move the fairgrounds off site.

Johnson outlined a conceptual site layout that would relocate campgrounds to the property's center, preserve the existing horse barn with renovations and remove most other aging structures, including the grandstand. The presenters said about 37 acres would remain for future development once primary construction is complete.

On projected use and economic impact, Johnson gave the foundation's estimates: when fully operational the site could host about 244 events annually with roughly 149,000 visits per year; the foundation projects construction activity and visitor stays would produce lodging‑tax revenue of about $124,000 annually for the city, $76,000 for the county and $234,000 for the state.

Council members asked technical and operational questions. When asked where parking would be sited for a 5,000‑seat amphitheater and the fair midway, presenters pointed to existing numbered parking areas, a potential overflow area described as "number 10" usable when dry, and multiple property entrances including Third Avenue. On stormwater, presenters said parts of the site now use open ditches, some conveyance is underground from the west, and portions of the property lie in a floodplain that will require careful engineering.

Presenters described a phasing plan intended to preserve fair operations during construction: first repair parking lots, then build the new event/exhibition hall, followed by demolition of the old grandstand and construction of a new multi‑livestock facility. They said tents or temporary layouts could host fair activities during transitional periods and that the grandstand would not be torn down until replacement space was available.

A council member asked whether the event center could host an ice rink; presenters replied they had not discussed an ice rink in detail, noted the proposed hall is about 44,000 square feet and said adding a rink could add roughly $6 million in cost if pursued. On financing, the presenters described an outreach and naming‑rights strategy: between now and a planned July business‑breakfast during fair week they expect to meet with five to 10 potential lead donors and engage an Omaha firm to assist with grant applications; they emphasized the campaign will depend on large early gifts rather than small brick sales alone.

Johnson and Granon said detailed site engineering and stormwater design are the next major expenses and require seed capital. They estimated a five‑ to six‑year buildout if fundraising proceeds as hoped but underlined that no formal city appropriation was being requested at this time and that the foundation would continue public outreach with county supervisors, the chamber and community groups to solicit input.

The Committee of the Whole did not take formal action on the proposal during the meeting. Presenters closed by thanking the council for time and describing next steps for communications, fundraising and engineering.