Posted on 02/28/2006 1:54:22 PM PST by devane617
Is NASCAR negotiating with the Charlotte City Council? Are public officials sweetening the deal to lure the sport's hall of fame to uptown Charlotte? Could the city be promising annual subsidies for the hall?
Only a few people know for sure, and they're not talking.
The council spent two hours behind closed doors at the start of its Monday meeting, and an hour at the end -- perhaps talking about NASCAR, perhaps not. The council held a long closed session Feb. 13 and a rare closed session before the Feb. 20 zoning meeting.
NASCAR sources said Sunday that Charlotte is the leading contender for the hall of fame, beating Atlanta and Daytona Beach for a tourist-attracting prize.
What's not clear is exactly what must happen between now and any official announcement. Will the council leave its closed meetings with a near-complete contract? How long will the public get to examine the agreement? Will more negotiations happen after NASCAR announces Charlotte as the winner?
State law lets the council hold closed meetings on economic development, but it does not bar them from talking afterward.
Council members and city staffers refused Sunday and Monday to answer even the most basic questions, or confirm whether NASCAR has been discussed in the closed meetings.
Asked early Monday about NASCAR, Republican councilman John Lassiter paused for about five seconds. Finally, he spoke: "The sound of silence."
After Monday's first closed session, council members were asked what they talked about.
Democrat Warren Turner: "I don't know."
Democrat Nancy Carter: "I can't talk. Sorry."
The hall would be built at Brevard and Stonewall streets. Much of the $137.5 million would come from raising the tax on hotel rooms from 6 percent to 8 percent. Officials have not released the hall's annual budget.
The latest twist in the hall of fame saga didn't faze officials in Atlanta or Daytona on Monday.
"The people in Atlanta are not concerned," said Richard Orr of Central Atlanta Progress.
Daytona Beach Chamber of Commerce President George Mirabal said he was not happy to read the Observer story. "It ain't over til it's over," he said.
Not true. I want to hear the real story from Atlanta NASCAR fans, not Mr Orr. I suspect most here knows his motivation for making this dumb-ass statement.
IMHO, the Hall belongs in Daytona..
I suspect it's because nobody likes going to Atlanta.
"IMHO, the Hall belongs in Daytona.."
Agreed.
Hey if they want the Nascar Hall Of Fame on a "dirt" road go ahead and put it in Charlotte. They could have it in a place people acually go to in Atlanta and Daytona
Do either of you see racial overtones to his statement?
if Atlanta got it, where in the world would they put it? the logical place is near/next to Atlanta Motor Speedway, but it's out of the way for the tourist types, unless they want to drive 30 miles or so to see it. It'd have to go near/in downtown and that's a sure way to kill the project..
"I suspect it's because nobody likes going to Atlanta."
Charlotte's no tourist mecca, I assure you (having lived there for 3 years).
see racial overtones to whose statement?
"It'd have to go near/in downtown and that's a sure way to kill the project.."
That was my thought as well. Georgia is a beautiful state but my brother and I joke about Atlanta a lot. It is just almost impossible to get around in that city. God forbid you get lost, too.
"It'd have to go near/in downtown and that's a sure way to kill the project.."
I dunno. If they stuck it near the GA Aquarium (which appears to be doing very well), it might have a chance.
Agreed. For one thing, it's almost impossible to get anything to eat "Uptown" on a weekend.
Nascar was born in Atlanta at the old Peach Bowl. A customer of mine told me his daddy owned the Peach Bowl and they were behind on their rent. The old man sent him down there to collect the rent or kick them out. They didn't have the money and offered them stock instead. The old man told them "hell no".
I live in Atlanta..actually about 40 miles NNW of the city..near the aquarium might be a good location actually now that I think about it..however, I still believe it belongs in Daytona..
This deal hinges on who lines to pockets of the France family with the most green.
and that's the core of the issue..who's willin to pay the most..
How many people drive through Atlanta each year as opposed to Charlotte, or Daytona. I do not have the numbers, but I would guess Atlanta wins several times over.
how many people go to daytona to see the track or go to NASCAR USA which is right next door?? probably 1000 times more than drive down to atlanta motor speedway to see it..
I'm just saying, I personally think it belongs in daytona within walking distance from the track..
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