medici
Nov 16th, 08, 6:48 PM
There is a community in the north Metro of Minnesota, Big Lake, were a developer is considering a new race track. There have been a lot of oppenents to the track due to noise complaints all the way to traffic complaints.
We, the Northstar Chevelle Club, would like to see the track developed. I would like to send a letter to the Editor of the Elk River Star News of the benefit of a track being developed.
You have any ideas as to what to write. Feel free to write a paragraph and maybe it will be sent in. Below is an artcle from the Star News about the track.
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Racetrack presented to Big Lake residents
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
by Elizabeth Nelson
Staff writer
Even though no official proposal is on the table, concerned Big Lake residents squeezed into the town hall to learn about what a race track would mean for their area.
On Wednesday, Oct. 22, 195 residents filled town hall to hear International Motorsports Entertain-ment and Development Corp. (IMEDC) give a presentation on what the mixed-use motorsports complex could look like.
Every seat in the audience was filled, more than 50 stood in the back and many more lined the walls and even sat on the floor as Jim Farnum, the chief executive director of IMEDC, gave a 40-minute presentation on what a racetrack could bring to Big Lake.
The opening was a slide show highlighting numerous aspects of motorsports from photos of race car drivers proudly holding up trophies to massive crowds gathered in stadiums. Appealing to a Minnesota crowd, Bob Dylan and Prince songs played in the background.
The projected plans place the 400-acre project in an the area of County Road 14 near the end of 172nd Street in Big Lake Township.
Farnum said the 400 acres has been secured through a purchase agreement, but, if the idea does not pass, IMEDC will not be stuck with the land.
The complex would cater to different motorsports with a five-eighths-mile high bank paved oval, three-eighths-mile oval dirt track, a one-quarter-mile drag strip and a 100,000-square-foot exhibition and convention center for commercial businesses relative to the track.
Each track is designed for different types of events. For example, Farnum said the high bank dirt track would attract motocross events, while the 2.8 mile road course would attract motorcycles.
During the presentation big names like NASCAR and NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) were thrown around, but Farnum said this is just an idea of who the track could attract, but nothing is guaranteed.
Farnum also addressed the issue of noise, saying the state-of-the-art facility will have berms around the tracks, which work as a noise barrier. In addition there will be “sound-deadening walls.”
However, many residents don’t believe these efforts will make much of a difference.
Sharon King of Big Lake said she went out on Wednesday getting a petition signed against the racetrack.
King said nine out of 10 signed the petition, stating a number of different concerns; one of the main issues is noise.
Her husband, Rob King, said unlike the train, which is noisy and goes by, a racetrack will be heard for days, with three to four days of racing before the actual big event.
“This will be continuous noise,” he said.
During the presentation, Farnum pointed to transportation being one of the main reasons for Big Lake being chosen as a potential site.
He said the proximity to roads such as highways 10 and 25 and Interstate 94, along with the Northstar commuter rail, puts Big Lake in a highly marketable position for the track.
In terms of traffic, Farnum also pushed the importance to remember big races are held only a few weekends out of the year.
“If we were talking about big races, that’s one weekend a year,” he said. “I think we can make it work.”
However, for some residents who live in the projected area, like Cary Gindele and Mary Olson, they wonder just how much congestion would be caused by a racetrack.
Gindele said traffic can already be a problem in the area, let alone on race days, which Farnum said can attract up to 90,000 spectators, if not more.
Olson said it’s also not just the one race day, but the noise and congestion that comes with the few days of practice before.
However, aside from transportation aiding in IMEDC’s decision for location, Farnum also pointed to many other benefits to building a racetrack.
For example, the company isn’t asking for taxpayer money, and the facility can be used for way more than just racing.
Farnum pointed to monster truck shows, weddings, trade shows and fund-raising events as a few of the possibilities.
However, one benefit the presentation brought up that some residents didn’t agree with, is an increase in property values.
Farnum’s reasoning is that Big Lake will receive national and international attention from media related to races and events, therefore making Big Lake an even more desirable location.
But Gindele and Olson couldn’t disagree more.
“Who would want to live next to a racetrack?” Gindele questioned.
The two both agreed that loud noise and frequent congestion would not help the market value of their homes.
But for Cindy Lambing, she isn’t too concerned with putting Big Lake on the map and gaining popularity, citing the peace and simpler way of life as the reasons she chose to move to the area more off the beaten path in the first place.
“I moved out here for peace and quiet and (a) friendly, small-town community,” she said. “That would be lost with a mixed-use motorsports facility.”
Also, with the proposal putting the area so close to the Mississippi River, Lambing is also concerned about losing the wildlife.
“I will lose the bald eagles in my backyard,” she said.
At the end of the presentation, the vice chairman of the Big Lake Town Board, Larry Alfords, told the IMEDC representative they might have a tough sell on the idea. For example, Farnum said noise would be minimal, but everyone wants to know the specifics of that statement.
“It’s generalities,” he said. “You haven’t come out and said exactly what you’re talking about.”
Alfords cited other issues related to the proximity to residents and falling within the Shoreline Management Act because of the closeness to the river.
As of yet, IMEDC hasn’t applied for any permits or applications to begin the building process. If that is completed, there will be future open forums for the residents to voice concerns and raise questions.
We, the Northstar Chevelle Club, would like to see the track developed. I would like to send a letter to the Editor of the Elk River Star News of the benefit of a track being developed.
You have any ideas as to what to write. Feel free to write a paragraph and maybe it will be sent in. Below is an artcle from the Star News about the track.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Racetrack presented to Big Lake residents
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
by Elizabeth Nelson
Staff writer
Even though no official proposal is on the table, concerned Big Lake residents squeezed into the town hall to learn about what a race track would mean for their area.
On Wednesday, Oct. 22, 195 residents filled town hall to hear International Motorsports Entertain-ment and Development Corp. (IMEDC) give a presentation on what the mixed-use motorsports complex could look like.
Every seat in the audience was filled, more than 50 stood in the back and many more lined the walls and even sat on the floor as Jim Farnum, the chief executive director of IMEDC, gave a 40-minute presentation on what a racetrack could bring to Big Lake.
The opening was a slide show highlighting numerous aspects of motorsports from photos of race car drivers proudly holding up trophies to massive crowds gathered in stadiums. Appealing to a Minnesota crowd, Bob Dylan and Prince songs played in the background.
The projected plans place the 400-acre project in an the area of County Road 14 near the end of 172nd Street in Big Lake Township.
Farnum said the 400 acres has been secured through a purchase agreement, but, if the idea does not pass, IMEDC will not be stuck with the land.
The complex would cater to different motorsports with a five-eighths-mile high bank paved oval, three-eighths-mile oval dirt track, a one-quarter-mile drag strip and a 100,000-square-foot exhibition and convention center for commercial businesses relative to the track.
Each track is designed for different types of events. For example, Farnum said the high bank dirt track would attract motocross events, while the 2.8 mile road course would attract motorcycles.
During the presentation big names like NASCAR and NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) were thrown around, but Farnum said this is just an idea of who the track could attract, but nothing is guaranteed.
Farnum also addressed the issue of noise, saying the state-of-the-art facility will have berms around the tracks, which work as a noise barrier. In addition there will be “sound-deadening walls.”
However, many residents don’t believe these efforts will make much of a difference.
Sharon King of Big Lake said she went out on Wednesday getting a petition signed against the racetrack.
King said nine out of 10 signed the petition, stating a number of different concerns; one of the main issues is noise.
Her husband, Rob King, said unlike the train, which is noisy and goes by, a racetrack will be heard for days, with three to four days of racing before the actual big event.
“This will be continuous noise,” he said.
During the presentation, Farnum pointed to transportation being one of the main reasons for Big Lake being chosen as a potential site.
He said the proximity to roads such as highways 10 and 25 and Interstate 94, along with the Northstar commuter rail, puts Big Lake in a highly marketable position for the track.
In terms of traffic, Farnum also pushed the importance to remember big races are held only a few weekends out of the year.
“If we were talking about big races, that’s one weekend a year,” he said. “I think we can make it work.”
However, for some residents who live in the projected area, like Cary Gindele and Mary Olson, they wonder just how much congestion would be caused by a racetrack.
Gindele said traffic can already be a problem in the area, let alone on race days, which Farnum said can attract up to 90,000 spectators, if not more.
Olson said it’s also not just the one race day, but the noise and congestion that comes with the few days of practice before.
However, aside from transportation aiding in IMEDC’s decision for location, Farnum also pointed to many other benefits to building a racetrack.
For example, the company isn’t asking for taxpayer money, and the facility can be used for way more than just racing.
Farnum pointed to monster truck shows, weddings, trade shows and fund-raising events as a few of the possibilities.
However, one benefit the presentation brought up that some residents didn’t agree with, is an increase in property values.
Farnum’s reasoning is that Big Lake will receive national and international attention from media related to races and events, therefore making Big Lake an even more desirable location.
But Gindele and Olson couldn’t disagree more.
“Who would want to live next to a racetrack?” Gindele questioned.
The two both agreed that loud noise and frequent congestion would not help the market value of their homes.
But for Cindy Lambing, she isn’t too concerned with putting Big Lake on the map and gaining popularity, citing the peace and simpler way of life as the reasons she chose to move to the area more off the beaten path in the first place.
“I moved out here for peace and quiet and (a) friendly, small-town community,” she said. “That would be lost with a mixed-use motorsports facility.”
Also, with the proposal putting the area so close to the Mississippi River, Lambing is also concerned about losing the wildlife.
“I will lose the bald eagles in my backyard,” she said.
At the end of the presentation, the vice chairman of the Big Lake Town Board, Larry Alfords, told the IMEDC representative they might have a tough sell on the idea. For example, Farnum said noise would be minimal, but everyone wants to know the specifics of that statement.
“It’s generalities,” he said. “You haven’t come out and said exactly what you’re talking about.”
Alfords cited other issues related to the proximity to residents and falling within the Shoreline Management Act because of the closeness to the river.
As of yet, IMEDC hasn’t applied for any permits or applications to begin the building process. If that is completed, there will be future open forums for the residents to voice concerns and raise questions.