RACE TRACK NO LONGER PLANNED FOR CHAPPELL HILL
Club Track Holdings and Charles Von Schmidt, which were planning a controversial race track in the Chappell Hill area, have released a statement saying they are no longer planning to buy the Mel Acres Ranch outside of Chappell Hill to build the racetrack. The new location, according to Von Schmidt, is outside of Washington County.
Charles Von Schmidt expresses his regret at not being able to get the racetrack built
The statement released is as follows:
Club Track Holdings announced today that Bluebonnet Racing Circuit did not select the Mel Acres ranch outside of Chappell Hill, Texas as the site for its new Motorsports complex.
Club track Holdings management is disappointed in the scope of misinformation which has created this controversy. As a result they will not be able to provide the economic impact, housing, tourism, and of course jobs which Bluebonnet would have brought to the area.
While we feel the positive impact would have been nothing short of terrific it's obvious that a vocal portion of the community does not want this growth and we therefore selecting the competing site. "Personally I feel that we would have been a huge asset and would have become a valuable part of the community said Charles Von Schmidt. However we have an obligation to our Motorsports community, and investors to stay on schedule while building the best track possible.
The Chappell Hill site was sold to a local landowner in a private transaction, eliminating any ownership or pending contracts Club Track Holdings or Bluebonnet have on Mel Acres in Chappell Hill.
Construction on the successful site is expected to begin this fall after engineering studies are completed with opening projected in 2016.
Larger in project scope this site will include a facility designed to address amateur and professional needs for years to come. "We could not have built a track of this scale in Chappell Hill due to the size, level of activity, and its involvement with pro level events. The traffic will be greater than the simple club level track we had designed to fit into Washington County.
This exciting facility is designed to create a fantastic driving experience. It will also provide a projected 214 million in economic impact over the first 10 years to its surrounding community. Initial job creation is 27 jobs with an estimated 90 by the end of year two. The facility will also increase tax base, while providing tourism dollars to the local merchants, restaurants, and hotels.
The new site will include a hotel complex, cart track, multiple garage condos, long term rental garages, grandstand seating, restaurant, and well laid out paddock. There will be multiple residential options, expansive green space as well as areas designated for race team buildings and related commercial operations.