Carcinogenic asbestos located in century-old performance arts centerLincoln, Nebraska - In Lincoln, Nebraska, the Pershing Center is an outdated performance space that is over half a century old. The Pershing Municipal Auditorium has a rich history of important concerts, with Elvis and Johnny Cash among its celebrity performers. But compared to the more modern performance spaces near Lincoln such as Omaha's Qwest or Kansas City's Sprint Center, the building is outmoded.
"When it was built, it was designed to be utilitarian - it was square walls and open floor space," Pershing General Manager Tom Lorenz said. "When you're trying to do modern shows, we can't physically address all the production and patron amenities issues that come up."
The ceilings are known to contain asbestos, and are heavily water-damaged. However, it is believed that most of the asbestos in the building has been encapsulated, making it less likely to pose a risk to human health. If accidentally inhaled or ingested, mesothelioma or other cancers can develop. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and it is not unheard of for the disease to lie dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms.
Last year, a survey was conducted to determine public opinions related to the future of the building. It was found that 48 percent supported demolishing the building and starting over.
"It's still a great building, and it's still fun to come to work every day," he said. "Hopefully now people will look to the future and look towards a new arena that will serve the city for the next 50 years."
