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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.
-------------------- 1972 Heavy Chevy Chevelle Posts: 323 | From: Otsego, MN | Registered: Oct 2004
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Gee, I didnt see that one coming. This is the kind of bullsh%t and exactly what I expected was going to happen. Same thing happened to the investors that tried with the Minnesota Dragways project a few years ago. Lets face it, this is the midwest and not the south where racing is embraced. Unfortuneatly, that is always the way its going to be around here. As long as people in these communities feel threatened by a race track nearby, they will automaticly think the word "noise" and that will always put the kabash on it. Afterall, who wants thier precious "eagles in thier backyard" to stop coming around? I can understand thier concerns but as a car guy I want a race track just as much as the next car person and I just dont see it happening in any sort of township community in this state.
The only way I could ever see another track opening is if some farmer built one himself in one of his fields and nobody could do anything about it. Something like Rock Falls, not much around the area really.
Well so much for that idea.
-------------------- Chris.
Here means here to me, not there.~Dean Call. Posts: 1438 | From: Brooklyn Park, Mn. | Registered: Aug 2004
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where's the public outcry FOR the track? These guys need to organize the people who WILL go to see and use the track, as well as local advertising companies. I can understand the point of noise and traffic, but I think the residents are exaggerating some. 90,000 people is more than a football game at the metrodome that's completely sold out and 100% attendance, which has a capacity of 63000. Constant noise for days? That's also not quite right.
Posts: 331 | From: Coon Rapids, MN | Registered: Jun 2005
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The 'Not in my backyard' line won't get far if these people proposing the track do not ask for any public subsidies or tax waiver.
Big Lake should look at this as gaining more influx of tourist money to local business restaurants, hotels, gas stations, etc.
As for the local arguments, it has to do more with maintaining status quo than anything.
The peace and quiet line...Big Lake already gets cabin traffic from 10 and people crossing over from 94, so no, they are not off the beaten path by any means.
I don't think many would want to live next to a race track either but if you apply that thinking, no one would want a new housing development behind them either...so where do you draw the line? "I am here and no one else can come in because I like it this way" just doesn't fly.
If track people get more serious, they should start to put numbers out with estimated amount of money that typical fans may pump into the local economy. Some vocal local residents may be against it but the councils will balance that with other factors like revenue generation, traffic, etc.
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Mike, you should be going there in uniform telling the residents a legal race-track will cut down on the illegal/dangerous street-racing shenanigans making their neighborhoods safer.
I'd spend a lot of my money there if they built it. Posts: 1488 | From: Dexter, MN | Registered: Aug 2004
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I should call the Race Track owner and tell him to come to Rogers and build it. We have the space. The noise would be no more than the noise from I94. We already have traffic conjestion so more would not do more dmaage. Someone call and tell him about Rogers... Then I could work a ton of OT shift and watch the event for free and make tons of $.
-------------------- 1972 Heavy Chevy Chevelle Posts: 323 | From: Otsego, MN | Registered: Oct 2004
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Letters to the editors from ALL FOLKS around the state would help secure the track. A letter from Mike stating that it would reduce street racing would help. From Derek a letter that he would have more resons to vistit this area for driving schools. Racing guys like Tony who could say they would rather stay in Minnesota and race then drive to other states. The more letters the better, I need to get ahold of some of the other clubs to support the track. I will see if Jim can make the meeting at Discount Tire in November. I have Scott on this already to help in whatever way he can. Between the election stuff and track meetings time is thin.
-------------------- Mess with me, and you mess with the whole trailer park! Posts: 1276 | From: clearlake | Registered: Aug 2004
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They are absolutely good reasons to send letters. They are stating reasons why it'd be a bad idea, but a truly nice facility will bring so much to the community if they just embrace it.
Letters stating how having such a track would be a good thing are what we need to write. Think how this would honestly be a good thing for you, personally, and send it in. We should get the address posted here and maybe the e-mail address too, and we can get something done here. By us, for us, on a local level (relatively speaking).
As a media guy, my angle is obvious. I'd love to have a great local facility to encourage everything from big racing events to other functions that will support the local community, like a place to train police officers in high speed driving techniques or even a closed course for things like Driver's Education courses or motorcycle rider's training.
There's a ton of potential in this, and if the locals can see past the noise, they'd understand how such a facility can improve the community.
Let's get writing!
Posts: 25 | From: Belle Plaine | Registered: May 2006
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racing as it was in the 1960's is done... Racetrack after racetrack has gone under in the last 30 years... while in the south large motorplexes have been built to take up the slack... These facilities need participants and spectators to make the program work.. and the economy, property taxes, and fuel prices have taken their toll on both. When was the last time you ran your car or went to spectate at a bracket event?? even a regional?
-------------------- You can sleep in your car, but you cant drive your house Posts: 830 | Registered: Aug 2004
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I was at the last bracket race at BIR just last month. It would be nice to have a closer track though as camping is sometimes tough!!!
-------------------- Darren A. 1970 Chevelle ALL ORIGINAL 1972 4-door Chevelle 355/350/3.73posi Winner.StreetTrophy.May11.2008.BIR 1998 Silverado/Z71/Extended/5.7L Posts: 609 | From: Hopkins, MN USA | Registered: Aug 2004
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This reminds me of the track that was in the fairgrounds. I heard it closed becuase too many whiners complaining about the noise on the one day it actually had a race. One single day. In the end, car people are a low percantage of the populus. Most people out there could give a rats a$$ about motorsports or the car hobby in general. That alone will be the biggest hurdle for the commitee for this racetrack project.
Take the Anoka car show for instance, if it wasnt for the mayor, whom is a car guy and owns a classic Mustang, helping with a big push to get a show there, they wouldnt have a show at all. Hopefully there are at least some car guys on the Big Lake city council.
-------------------- Chris.
Here means here to me, not there.~Dean Call. Posts: 1438 | From: Brooklyn Park, Mn. | Registered: Aug 2004
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