MECA
Fraser Stryker is honored to act as general counsel to the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority, commonly known as MECA. MECA was formed on May 9, 2000, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization after Omaha voters approved its creation to oversee construction and management of Qwest Center Omaha. Qwest Center Omaha opened in September 2003. The total cost for the Qwest Center Omaha development project was $291 million, including sewers, streets, utility work, parking lots, and building. Private individuals and organizations donated $75 million to the project and the remainder of the cost was financed through general obligation bonds issued by the City of Omaha.Qwest Center Omaha covers 422 acres, or approximately 100 city blocks. The Arena offers 32 luxury suites, 1,100 club seats, and a capacity of 18,300 guests. It is home to the Creighton University men's basketball program and the University of Nebraska at Omaha men's hockey program. Top sporting events held at Qwest Center Omaha include the 2008 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship 1st and 2nd Rounds, the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Swimming and the 2008 NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship. Top-name concerts include Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, U2, the Police, Shania Twain, Tim McGraw, and Faith Hill.Qwest Center Omaha Convention Center hosts many citywide conventions such as the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting and Pheasants Forever. The 30,996-square foot Peter Kiewit Grand Ballroom is the largest ballroom in Omaha. The Junior Ballroom and 12 meeting rooms can accommodate all types of functions. The facility offers more than 1.1 million square feet, including a 194,000 square foot exhibition hall and more than 63,000 square feet of meeting space.Fraser Stryker has provided reliable legal counsel to MECA since its inception. Fraser Stryker attorneys assisted MECA in structuring the public/private partnership with the City of Omaha resulting in MECA managing Qwest Center Omaha. Fraser Stryker attorneys negotiated and drafted the design and construction contracts for the multimillion dollar complex. In addition, Fraser Stryker assisted with the negotiation and drafting of the $14 million naming rights agreement with Qwest Communications International, Inc. Fraser Stryker negotiated leases with the two anchor tenants of the arena and the food and beverage service agreements for the complex. Fraser Stryker attorneys also negotiated and drafted the numerous licensing agreements that are used by hundreds of groups annually for their conventions, meetings, concerts, and sports competitions at Qwest Center Omaha. Fraser Stryker assisted in forming the Omaha Sports Commission, initially as a committee of the MECA Board of Directors, which was later "spun out" as a separate entity (which Fraser Stryker continues to represent). In its day-to-day operations, Fraser Stryker counsels the MECA Board of Directors and its management team on corporate governance practices and legal issues regarding contracts, risk management, financing, employment, real estate, and environmental compliance. Fraser Stryker is privileged to serve as MECA's general counsel and applauds MECA in Qwest Center Omaha's outstanding successes.
Fraser Stryker is honored to act as general counsel to the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority, commonly known as MECA. MECA was formed on May 9, 2000, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization after Omaha voters approved its creation to oversee construction and management of Qwest Center Omaha. Qwest Center Omaha opened in September 2003. The total cost for the Qwest Center Omaha development project was $291 million, including sewers, streets, utility work, parking lots, and building. Private individuals and organizations donated $75 million to the project and the remainder of the cost was financed through general obligation bonds issued by the City of Omaha.
Qwest Center Omaha covers 422 acres, or approximately 100 city blocks. The Arena offers 32 luxury suites, 1,100 club seats, and a capacity of 18,300 guests. It is home to the Creighton University men's basketball program and the University of Nebraska at Omaha men's hockey program. Top sporting events held at Qwest Center Omaha include the 2008 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship 1st and 2nd Rounds, the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Swimming and the 2008 NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship. Top-name concerts include Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, U2, the Police, Shania Twain, Tim McGraw, and Faith Hill.
Qwest Center Omaha Convention Center hosts many citywide conventions such as the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting and Pheasants Forever. The 30,996-square foot Peter Kiewit Grand Ballroom is the largest ballroom in Omaha. The Junior Ballroom and 12 meeting rooms can accommodate all types of functions. The facility offers more than 1.1 million square feet, including a 194,000 square foot exhibition hall and more than 63,000 square feet of meeting space.
Fraser Stryker has provided reliable legal counsel to MECA since its inception. Fraser Stryker attorneys assisted MECA in structuring the public/private partnership with the City of Omaha resulting in MECA managing Qwest Center Omaha. Fraser Stryker attorneys negotiated and drafted the design and construction contracts for the multimillion dollar complex. In addition, Fraser Stryker assisted with the negotiation and drafting of the $14 million naming rights agreement with Qwest Communications International, Inc. Fraser Stryker negotiated leases with the two anchor tenants of the arena and the food and beverage service agreements for the complex. Fraser Stryker attorneys also negotiated and drafted the numerous licensing agreements that are used by hundreds of groups annually for their conventions, meetings, concerts, and sports competitions at Qwest Center Omaha. Fraser Stryker assisted in forming the Omaha Sports Commission, initially as a committee of the MECA Board of Directors, which was later "spun out" as a separate entity (which Fraser Stryker continues to represent). In its day-to-day operations, Fraser Stryker counsels the MECA Board of Directors and its management team on corporate governance practices and legal issues regarding contracts, risk management, financing, employment, real estate, and environmental compliance. Fraser Stryker is privileged to serve as MECA's general counsel and applauds MECA in Qwest Center Omaha's outstanding successes.