Concord in the midst of major changes?

[monsoon]

And just think, all this because 30-40 people that moved next to motorsports zoning complained about noise. I bet they feel really smart now. They fought for their cause and almost screwed over an entire city. Granted that these are improvements that have been needed for a long, long time; it's sad that this is what it took to get the city to commit to them.

Towards the end of the article, it makes mention of the transit line with the possibility of rail. .....

On the first point I would not put the blame on the homeowners who protested the drag strip. They did what they had the right to do. The blame rests squarely on the heads of the members of the city council and mayor for flip flopping on the matter and then caving into Bruton's demands. As I said earlier in the in this thread, I don't think he would ever move, and that sure seems the case now, but he would use the threat to beotch slap the council which he did. And of course Smith get's the blame too for being such an ass about it. He had some nasty things to say about the people of Concord.

On your second point about the rail. It's not going to happen unless Concord/Cabarrus ponies up a lot, and I do mean al ot of money. The MTC, CATS, and Mecklenburg county, and the Charlotte City council are not going to change the system at all until it's built out and that means the line going to UNCC will not have more stations added to it. There are people within the city complaining about not getting rail for decades so they won't change the plan now because of the politics. The only way that I can see it happening is if Concord pays not only to extend the rail on the Cabarrus side, but also to pays to build the bridge across 485 and all of the extentions in Mecklenburg. This is going to be in the hundreds of millions range.

[Neo]

• Lobbying state legislators for improvements to roads near the track (Speedway Boulevard and George Liles Parkway)

I can't speak for the other incentives but I know for certain that improvements and expansions to George Liles were already planned and have been proposed for years. In fact, funding for a new section of George Liles from Weddington Rd. to Roberta Rd. is already in place from what I understand.

I wonder what other of those 'incentives' were already planned regardless of Smith's threat to leave Concord.

I'm not sure what road improvements are needed on speedway and george liles. They could push for the extension of Liles to 29 and 49, but I don't see that getting top priority as Smith himself would not benefit from it. It would just make race traffic slightly more fluid, emphasis on slightly.

This project is already in the books in three parts (ABC) with the first segment completed. The next segment will extend George Liles from Weddington Rd. to Roberta Rd. (using Roberta Church Rd. for sections that aren't new). The last section is still up in the air as funding is not in the books and would follow Stough Rd. from Roberta Rd. to Hwy 49.

I'm not sure what could be done to Speedway Blvd. though. The culprit of the problems there is the poor development that has taken place.

[Batou]

[*]Launching transit service between Charlotte and Concord to shuttle fans between the NASCAR HOF and LMS

Anyone else remember when they were trying to get the hall of fame, that one guy tried to be like "oh ill help pay for a monorail from the hall to LMS" Wonder if they still have that crazy idea in their head.....

[AuLukey]

Exactly Neo, I don't understand what they mean by "improvements" when the road hasn't even been completed yet. If they expedited the construction of the next stage down to Christy's Nursery which is already planned, I could understand that, but at the rate this road has taken to be built over the last decade, I can't see this happening. Simply for the fact that I don't have enough faith that Concord would do this.

I highly doubt the LRT would be extended, but it was just a bit of wishful thinking that Smith and Concord could get together to help pay for mass transport from the HOF to the Speedway and better connect Concord's tourism district to Charlotte's growing CBD and related entertainment.

[Raintree21]

He only offered to pay for like $25 million if I remember correctly. While that's better than nothing, it's still a drop in the bucket compared to the likely $500 million + that it would cost to extend it to the speedway.

[Neo]

Exactly Neo, I don't understand what they mean by "improvements" when the road hasn't even been completed yet. If they expedited the construction of the next stage down to Christy's Nursery which is already planned, I could understand that, but at the rate this road has taken to be built over the last decade, I can't see this happening. Simply for the fact that I don't have enough faith that Concord would do this.

In speaking about this issue with NCDOT a few weeks ago I was told that this is the #2 priority for Cabarrus County. The #1 priority is the widening of I-85 from Speedway Blvd. to Hwy 73. Again, this was #2 priority before all of this Bruton Smith moving talks took place. I posted this earlier in this thread I believe, but NCDOT had told me that the interchange for George Liles and Hwy 29 was originally planned to be an interchange (read: waste a ridiculous amount of money that NCDOT doesn't have to begin with) but will likely be altered to a regular intersection to speed this project up. I believe they still plan to take out the bad curve near Roberta Rd. and align Roberta Church with Stough Rd.

...I just took a look at the e-mail that the transportation director sent me regarding this project (TIP R-2246B) and he noted that this section is slated for construction in 2011 but he noted that "they do not stay on schedule" which was a bit of humility. In re-reading his e-mail he notes that they still plan on an interchange at Hwy 29 but that it likely will not get constructed until the last phase of the project completes (the section between Roberta Rd. and Hwy 49).

[AuLukey]

I really hope they don't turn that into an interchange. I mean, I understand the purpose as the road is meant to be a bypass and all, but I just think that it would go a long way to improve the 29 corridor to let that remain an intersection. In UCity, for example, the Tryon/Harris light is annoying, but is able to handle a large amount of traffic while the very next intersection is just the interchange of Harris over UCBlvd. I much prefer the light at Tryon despite the astronomically longer wait. Sure it's less efficient, but it is much easier to navigate overall and doesn't cut the two sides of the road/overpass apart. Do they really expect that much traffic on the Parkway?

[e2ksj3]

This story gets crazier and crazier, now the Cabarrus County Commission and the Concord City Council are asking the state to rename Speedway Blvd to Bruton Smith Blvd, it's so funny, but really sad at the same time. I know the Speedway brings in a load of money, but is all this really necessary, lol. Here's a link to the article in the Charlotte Obsever.

Edited October 25, 2007 by e2ksj3

[Neo]

At this point I am embarrassed for Concord. This has been so blown out of proportion that it has made everyone involved look like complete cards.

[Charlotte_native]

At this point I am embarrassed for Concord. This has been so blown out of proportion that it has made everyone involved look like complete cards.

This certainly doesn't make any of us in the region look different than the stereotype we are all given from afar. Yee-haw.

On the first point I would not put the blame on the homeowners who protested the drag strip. They did what they had the right to do. The blame rests squarely on the heads of the members of the city council and mayor for flip flopping on the matter and then caving into Bruton's demands.

They certainly did have every right to bring up issues they had -- I doubt they know an ultra wealthy bully would turn it into a massive tantrum and pubicity stunt. I do blame the city council for their last minute zoning switch-a-roo, but the residents have a right to voice concerns.

[Raintree21]

The Concord City Council unanimously agreed to again allow drag strips on Lowe

[AuLukey]

While as a whole, this entire situation should have never happened, I'm actually excited to see what improvements Concord really does do for the Speedway area. It does need a lot done to it. What's sad is that if Bruton truly wanted these improvements, he would pay for them himself. A few dozen mil is just a drop in the bucket for him while a much bigger deal to Cabarrus County and Concord.

[monsoon]

^I'm gonna bet that nothing happens for the surrounding area. All of the "improvements" will be at the tax payers expense that will end up in Bruton's pockets. The concord city council has shown an amazing lack of backbone in this issue and have completely sold out.

[Justadude]

This incident should be the dead-end of quite a few political careers. As disgusted as I am with the CMS school board, even they have never dipped this low in terms of outright corruption and incompetence.

[Neo]

I just saw a permit come through for what appears to be a large commercial development at Pitts School Rd. and Hwy. 29. The name of the development is Coddle Creek Crossing and I have made a map showing the boundaries of this new development:

[Charlotte_native]

It appears we aren't the only ones that have to deal with good ol' Bruton Smith...Observer has an article today about a track in Texas where he is in a dispute about mineral rights.

[AuLukey]

It looks as if 29 in Concord is gaining interest lately. This is the second development along 29 between the Speedway and Phillip Morris that has been proposed since the PM announcement.

I wonder if they plan on incorporating the roads that already exist or if they will tear them apart and build more suitable roads. I used to drive by this lot nearly every day in high school. If they do build a road from Pitts School to 29, I hope they're aware of the number of high schoolers that will use it as a cut-through. The Food Lion on that corner used to (and I believe still does) have an issue with that on weekdays.

Edited November 6, 2007 by aussie luke

[Neo]

I wonder if they plan on incorporating the roads that already exist or if they will tear them apart and build more suitable roads. I used to drive by this lot nearly every day in high school. If they do build a road from Pitts School to 29, I hope they're aware of the number of high schoolers that will use it as a cut-through. The Food Lion on that corner used to (and I believe still does) have an issue with that on weekdays.

The master road construction plan for the city of Concord is available in the following PDF document:

http://www.ci.concord.nc.us/downloads/Tran...PLAN_051007.pdf

You can see that the city is planning a connector between Roberta Church Rd. and Pitts School Rd. which will end up close to this development (uses two existing roads that current do not connect to one another). You can also see a new proposed road around the new strip mall that was constructed in that corner and on the same side as the Food Lion shopping center. I'm not sure if that is showing a new road going behind those developments or simply displaying currently constructed roads in those developments. My hunch is that it will be a newly constructed road which would help ease congestion at this location.

There are a lot more extensions and to be constructed roads displayed in that PDF that are worthy of a mention as well.

[Neo]

In reading what Concord is offering as 'incentives' to Bruton Smith I'm puzzled as to why they're incentives since most seem to be projects that were already planned, unless the incentive part is bumping these projects up to a higher priority.

The Charlotte Observer article states for example:

"Among the options are extending the George Liles Parkway to U.S. 29, replacing the U.S. 29/Rocky River bridge, providing structures to decrease noise from the drag strip and giving Smith property and sales tax rebates based on the amount of investment on the drag strip and speedway improvements."

Problem is, the extension of George Liles Parkway to Hwy 29 has been planned for quite some time and is already slated to be completed in the next few years. The Hwy 29/Rocky River bridge is also already slated to be replaced in the next few years (if not sooner, I can't remember the year it was being put in as constructed). Why are these being billed as incentives when they're simply improvements that would happen regardless. Replacing an old bridge is hardly an incentive since it would have to be done anyway.

Perhaps I've got it wrong, but to me it seems as if Concord is billing these ordinary developments as incentives and hoping Bruton Smith isn't smart enough to know they were coming regardless if he stays or goes.

[AuLukey]

shhhhhhh!!

I thought that too when I first read about Liles and Rocky River. Perhaps they are going to expedite construction on them. The tunnel and pedestrian bridge are nice additions. Burying the utility lines and replacing the Speedway Blvd/29 and Morehead/29 hanging traffic signals with posts would be welcome improvements as well.

Off topic a bit, but I've always wondered why Smith never built a decently sized hotel on his property at Speedway and 29. Seems like that it would've been a no-brainer for him. Considering the success of the hotels further up by i-85, I can't imagine a hotel next to the speedway would operate in anything but black. I'm sure it would've come in handy for some of the local teams before the Concord Mills area got built up.

[Neo]

Off topic a bit, but I've always wondered why Smith never built a decently sized hotel on his property at Speedway and 29. Seems like that it would've been a no-brainer for him. Considering the success of the hotels further up by i-85, I can't imagine a hotel next to the speedway would operate in anything but black. I'm sure it would've come in handy for some of the local teams before the Concord Mills area got built up.

I'm not entirely sure as it does seem like a no-brianer. I don't keep up with NASCAR thus I don't know the answer to this question, but do any of the tracks have hotels on the property or are they all off-property and operated by third parties? The new Embassy Suites hotel off of Speedway Blvd. is the official hotel of LMS from what I understand but I'm not sure what all that encompasses.

[fulcrumsf]

Part of me personally hopes Smith moves the track. I know that so many businesses around the track rely on the traffic that the races create. But I kinda agree with his tactics even if they are bullish. Had Concord talked with him about their concerns about the drag strip before just blocking him they may never have been in this situation. It would be interesting to see how much impact there would be in Concord. Also how much impact on the area he decides to move it to should he decide to move.

[Raintree21]

I'm not entirely sure as it does seem like a no-brianer. I don't keep up with NASCAR thus I don't know the answer to this question, but do any of the tracks have hotels on the property or are they all off-property and operated by third parties? The new Embassy Suites hotel off of Speedway Blvd. is the official hotel of LMS from what I understand but I'm not sure what all that encompasses.

I think one of them out west has a hotel/casino on the property. Not sure which one it is though.

[AuLukey]

Part of me personally hopes Smith moves the track. I know that so many businesses around the track rely on the traffic that the races create. But I kinda agree with his tactics even if they are bullish. Had Concord talked with him about their concerns about the drag strip before just blocking him they may never have been in this situation. It would be interesting to see how much impact there would be in Concord. Also how much impact on the area he decides to move it to should he decide to move.

well. While it would be interesting to see the impact in the grand scheme of things, I can't see how this could ever be a good thing. Concord/Cabarrus's economy is taking a giant hit from Philip Morris just after the huge hit from Pillowtex/Cannon Mills. Taking away another cash cow like LMS from Concord is like taking BoA or Wachovia completely away from Charlotte. Sure it will survive without it, but it would have an enormous impact on the future of the city were it not there. So much in Cabarrus revolved around those three companies that growth in Cabarrus has seemed to slow a bit. Granted a lot of that is the county not allowing as many mega-culdesac neighborhoods as they used to to help control growth in the school system, but a lot of it also has to do with these shots to the local economy.

Hopefully the resurgence of all these mixed use developments in southwestern concord will help soften the blow. Speaking of which, earlier today coming back home from visiting my parents I noticed a sign on Weddington Rd at George Liles Pkwy for what looked like another mixed use development. I don't remember seeing anything about that one before and I didn't get a good look at the sign. Neo, you seem to be up on all things Concord, any idea what it is?

I think one of them out west has a hotel/casino on the property. Not sure which one it is though.

Sounds like something Las Vegas Motor Speedway would have.

[Neo]

Speaking of which, earlier today coming back home from visiting my parents I noticed a sign on Weddington Rd at George Liles Pkwy for what looked like another mixed use development. I don't remember seeing anything about that one before and I didn't get a good look at the sign. Neo, you seem to be up on all things Concord, any idea what it is?

There are two mixed used developments beginning or about to begin construction on George Liles east of I-85:

• Phase 2 of the Coddle Creek Market development should begin construction soon and is currently having to resubmit for building permit (typical) but will be behind where AutoZone is (this is the development achored by Harris Teeter at George Liles and Poplar Tent).
  

• Concord Pavilion just recently got the thumbs up for construction and will go behind the Wal-Greens. All I see so far is that it will contian a Bojangles.
  

• There is a grading permit for the NE corner of George Liles and Weddington for a commercial project bu nothing else as of yet. I have seen the sign that was recently put up there but haven't had a chance to get a good look at it yet.
  

• A little further south on Weddington there will be another mixed use development at the empty corner at the intersection of Pitts School.