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No new NASCAR track for Staten Island

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MsMBV
:P

Member since 5/05

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Me

No new NASCAR track for Staten Island

Link to Story

ISC scraps NASCAR track in New York

Jenna Fryer
AP Auto Racing Writer
Dec. 4, 2006 07:18 PM


CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - International Speedway Corp. scrapped plans Monday to build a track on Staten Island, stalling NASCAR's dream to bring a race to the New York area.

"While we are disappointed that we could not complete the speedway development on Staten Island, our enthusiasm for the metropolitan New York market is in no way dampened," ISC president Lesa France Kennedy said. "We continue to view the region as a prime location for a major motorsports facility."

France Kennedy heads ISC, the publicly traded sister company of NASCAR - which was founded by her grandfather and currently chaired by her brother, Brian France.

Both companies badly want to expand NASCAR into the New York metropolitan area, and moved toward that goal in 2004 when a subsidiary of ISC paid about $100 million for a 440-acre former oil tank farm on Staten Island. The company later bought another 236 acres to gain the necessary land for a race track.

The goal was to build a 0.8-mile state-of-the-art track that would have accommodated 80,000 fans and had the New York City skyline as its backdrop.

But the proposal has been met by severe resistance, including a a hotly contested April public meeting in which tempers reached dangerous levels - forcing police to end the meeting over safety concerns.

Residents complained of traffic tie-ups and argued that the two major roads leading into the property would likely need major renovations to handle the increased loads.

Environmental concerns were also cited by opponents of the plan.

ISC's decision to call off the plan was immediately trumpeted as a "monumental victory for the people of Staten Island," by New York City Council Minority Leader James S. Oddo.

"For months, many a Staten Islander thought this project was a done deal,' " Oddo said. "In the end, the interests of Staten Islanders as expressed in an earnest and unwavering fashion ... prevailed.

"After all was said and done, NASCAR was simply an inappropriate fit for S.I."

ISC cited an "inability to secure the critical local political support that is necessary to secure the required land-use change approvals" in ending the Staten Island project. In all, the company said it has spent about $150 million on the project:

-$123 million for land and related improvements.

-$11 million for costs related to the development of the speedway.

-$16 million for capitalized interest and property taxes.

ISC said it may now sell the land, which it believes will be worth more than $100 million and described it as the largest undeveloped acreage in the five boroughs of New York City.

The company said the decision to abandon the effort will result in a non-cash, pretax charge results of approximately $75 to $85 million, or $0.90 to $1.02 per diluted share after-tax.

France Kennedy expressed disappointment over not getting a chance to present the entire proposal to residents.

"We clearly believe that if we had been able to proceed through the full public process, the significant benefits this project represents would have generated a more positive reaction," she said.

NASCAR and ISC have long targeted both the New York and Pacific Northwest as areas it would like to expand into. Initial plans to build a track north of Seattle were thwarted, and ISC has since chosen a 950-acre site across the Puget Sound in Kitsap County, Wash.

ISC hopes that funding legislation on the Washington project will be submitted sometime in January.

The New York project is now uncertain, with ISC forced to find new land and an accepting public if it plans to continue.

France Kennedy said ISC, which owns 11 major tracks and hosts more than 100 annual events, said the company would move forward.

"Due to the considerable interest and support for NASCAR racing in the region, we remain committed to the pursuit of a motorsports entertainment facility development in the nation's number one media market," she said. "We believe a facility in this area represents a significant long-term opportunity for our company, and is one component of several broader strategic growth opportunities ahead for ISC."

Message edited 12/5/2006 9:52:09 AM.

Posted 12/5/06 9:29 AM
 
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chelle
It's a Good Life

Member since 8/06

15404 total posts

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Isn't it obvious?

Re: No new NASCAR track for Staten Island

What a bummer! Chat Icon

Posted 12/5/06 9:50 AM
 

JennZ
MY LIFE!!

Member since 8/05

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Re: No new NASCAR track for Staten Island

DH was looking foward to that. To bad they couldnt put it on the east end of the island, that would be great.

Posted 12/5/06 9:53 AM
 

JenBenMen
party of five

Member since 9/06

11343 total posts

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Jen

Re: No new NASCAR track for Staten Island

I am happy about this...SI is too crowded as it is

Posted 12/5/06 10:34 AM
 

MsMBV
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Member since 5/05

28602 total posts

Name:
Me

Re: No new NASCAR track for Staten Island

Posted by JennJenn

DH was looking foward to that. To bad they couldnt put it on the east end of the island, that would be great.

I agree, although with the lack of road options I think it would have been a bigger traffic nightmare for the 2 races a year Chat Icon

Posted 12/5/06 10:36 AM
 

Emily
Kasey & Me! Lurves it!

Member since 7/06

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STBHC

Re: No new NASCAR track for Staten Island

I think Jersey would be better...they could still have the skyline w/o the nightmare.

Posted 12/5/06 12:26 PM
 

Jessica
I'm a mommy :)

Member since 1/06

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~Jess~

Re: No new NASCAR track for Staten Island

I tthough thaving it in Staten Island wuld have been a nightmare.

How about Orange, Putnam County. That would of worked great IMO

Posted 12/5/06 12:27 PM
 

MsMBV
:P

Member since 5/05

28602 total posts

Name:
Me

Re: No new NASCAR track for Staten Island

Posted by EmilyAKAMrsK

I think Jersey would be better...they could still have the skyline w/o the nightmare.

Yeah but where. They need a lot of acre-age.

Posted 12/5/06 12:29 PM
 

Emily
Kasey & Me! Lurves it!

Member since 7/06

8703 total posts

Name:
STBHC

Re: No new NASCAR track for Staten Island

Posted by MsMBV

Posted by EmilyAKAMrsK

I think Jersey would be better...they could still have the skyline w/o the nightmare.

Yeah but where. They need a lot of acre-age.



In that case they should just buy all of Staten Island...its a landfill anyways. Chat Icon

Posted 12/5/06 12:30 PM
 

MsMBV
:P

Member since 5/05

28602 total posts

Name:
Me

Re: No new NASCAR track for Staten Island

Posted by Jessica

I tthough thaving it in Staten Island wuld have been a nightmare.

How about Orange, Putnam County. That would of worked great IMO

There only would have been 2 major races a year at most. The rest of the time it would have acted as possibly a convention or amateur track, which draws Waaaay less of a crowd.

Not to say that those two weekends would have been ridiculous, they would have been, but the money made in those few days is also insane.

Posted 12/5/06 12:31 PM
 

Emily
Kasey & Me! Lurves it!

Member since 7/06

8703 total posts

Name:
STBHC

Re: No new NASCAR track for Staten Island

I don't think I would go...I would stay home and watch it in HD on the 60 inch screen.

I enjoy taking road trips to the Pocono races and also taking vacations to Daytona or Las Vegas.

Posted 12/5/06 12:33 PM
 

JennZ
MY LIFE!!

Member since 8/05

25463 total posts

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Re: No new NASCAR track for Staten Island

Posted by MsMBV

Posted by JennJenn

DH was looking foward to that. To bad they couldnt put it on the east end of the island, that would be great.

I agree, although with the lack of road options I think it would have been a bigger traffic nightmare for the 2 races a year Chat Icon



I cant see the traffic being that much worse then trying to get to the hamptons Memorial weekend. DH and I went to PA in June for the Pocono 500 and we were on the one road to get in and it was just as long. I think people on the island are using it for an excuse they dont really want that here. Nevemind the money it could bring to a town and local towns, ( hotels, rest, dining etc). But I ll still go to PA anyway.

Posted 12/5/06 12:34 PM
 

KateDevine
*

Member since 6/06

24950 total posts

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Re: No new NASCAR track for Staten Island

I live on Staten Island. Traffic is a nightmare ALL of the time and this would have made it worse!

Its a shame on the flip side because it would have brought good business to the island

Posted 12/5/06 12:36 PM
 

Emily
Kasey & Me! Lurves it!

Member since 7/06

8703 total posts

Name:
STBHC

Re: No new NASCAR track for Staten Island

Posted by JennJenn

Posted by MsMBV

Posted by JennJenn

DH was looking foward to that. To bad they couldnt put it on the east end of the island, that would be great.

I agree, although with the lack of road options I think it would have been a bigger traffic nightmare for the 2 races a year Chat Icon



I cant see the traffic being that much worse then trying to get to the hamptons Memorial weekend. DH and I went to PA in June for the Pocono 500 and we were on the one road to get in and it was just as long. I think people on the island are using it for an excuse they dont really want that here. Nevemind the money it could bring to a town and local towns, ( hotels, rest, dining etc). But I ll still go to PA anyway.




Exactly! Pocono hotels raise their rates and the road is allegedly one lane each way, but is 4 lanes towards the track on race day. Its very organized and worth the money. Pocono also has a mini outlet mall and kitsch stuff. Staten Island is far from kitsch.

Posted 12/5/06 12:37 PM
 

MsMBV
:P

Member since 5/05

28602 total posts

Name:
Me

Re: No new NASCAR track for Staten Island

I think this is why the traffic could have potentially been an issue, both races would have had to been scheduled during Hamptons season as well. (or at least one race). I cannot imagine an extra 80-K people trying to get off the LIE at exit 72 for that.....

Posted 12/5/06 12:37 PM
 

Emily
Kasey & Me! Lurves it!

Member since 7/06

8703 total posts

Name:
STBHC

Re: No new NASCAR track for Staten Island

Posted by MsMBV

I think this is why the traffic could have potentially been an issue, both races would have had to been scheduled during Hamptons season as well. (or at least one race). I cannot imagine an extra 80-K people trying to get off the LIE at exit 72 for that.....



That would be when a private jet would come in handy. That's the only way I would go to a race in the Hamptons. Chat Icon

Posted 12/5/06 12:38 PM
 

MsMBV
:P

Member since 5/05

28602 total posts

Name:
Me

Re: No new NASCAR track for Staten Island

Posted by EmilyAKAMrsK

Posted by MsMBV

I think this is why the traffic could have potentially been an issue, both races would have had to been scheduled during Hamptons season as well. (or at least one race). I cannot imagine an extra 80-K people trying to get off the LIE at exit 72 for that.....



That would be when a private jet would come in handy. That's the only way I would go to a race in the Hamptons. Chat Icon

Exactly.

Posted 12/5/06 12:40 PM
 

Jessica
I'm a mommy :)

Member since 1/06

7322 total posts

Name:
~Jess~

Re: No new NASCAR track for Staten Island

omg the amt of peopl is CRAZY.

I find it so funny (but they are smart) when people that live near the pocono raceway rent their front yards to park cars. THey must look forward to the races.
and the traffic is insane but organized

Posted 12/5/06 12:43 PM
 

MsMBV
:P

Member since 5/05

28602 total posts

Name:
Me

Re: No new NASCAR track for Staten Island

Posted by Jessica

omg the amt of peopl is CRAZY.

I find it so funny (but they are smart) when people that live near the pocono raceway rent their front yards to park cars. THey must look forward to the races.
and the traffic is insane but organized

We rented our driveway during the US open. Although I hated the fact that my commute was 1 hour instead of 20 minutes, the $$ made it all goodChat Icon

I have never been to the Pocono raceway, but from what I hear it is not nearly as bad as some other locations.

Posted 12/5/06 12:46 PM
 

Jessica
I'm a mommy :)

Member since 1/06

7322 total posts

Name:
~Jess~

Re: No new NASCAR track for Staten Island

Posted by MsMBV

We rented our driveway during the US open. Although I hated the fact that my commute was 1 hour instead of 20 minutes, the $$ made it all goodChat Icon




very smart of youChat Icon

Posted 12/5/06 12:53 PM
 

MsMBV
:P

Member since 5/05

28602 total posts

Name:
Me

Re: No new NASCAR track for Staten Island

Posted by Jessica

Posted by MsMBV

We rented our driveway during the US open. Although I hated the fact that my commute was 1 hour instead of 20 minutes, the $$ made it all goodChat Icon




very smart of youChat Icon

I wish I could take credit. A few months prior someone came to our door and asked if we would "rent" them our driveway while they were in town. They were staying at the Hilton so they had to drive to the golf course.

Posted 12/5/06 1:38 PM
 
 

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