I remember when it was a big deal that we had a Super K AND a 24-hour Walmart. Now this from the Tribune:
If Bruton Smith’s $200 million upgrades to Lowe’s Motor Speedway really will make it the “Disney World of professional motor sports,” then a light rail connection to downtown Charlotte may be its Monorail. [CLICK HERE TO READ MORE]
It doesn’t look like that Smith is offering to pay for it - like he did before.
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5 responses so far ↓
1 MarkMartin // Dec 10, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Justin - why would he? Bruton Smith has everyone right where he wants them now.
As for the reference in the article regarding the ‘crossing 485 issue’, the railroad already crosses 485 just North of UNCC on 49. Money was already spent improving that rail crossing when the 485 was built. I know, that rail doesn’t support ‘light rail’, but perhaps it could provide some basis for engineering.
Here is a crazy idea: the existing rail runs along side Hwy 49 right past UNCC and onto Harrisburg. There is a parcel of land in Harrisburg (Walmart wanted it) which has rail access. That could be developed into a business park / light rail station. Then an elevated monorail could be constructed from that site to run to the speedway, the convention center, and end at Concord Mills Mall. The monorail could travel through the ‘Preserve at Greyson’ (1,200 acres of undeveloped land). The ‘Preserve at Greyson’ could be exactly as the name implies, a wildlife animal preserve. Thus giving people the ‘Disney’ experience as they travel to the major tourism attractions in NC.
2 Steve Smith // Dec 10, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Now thats what I really need…another 1/2 cent sales tax to fund something I won’t ever use. Are you guys sure that you are conservative?? This sounds like tax and spent liberalism to me.
Maybe I’m wrong…
3 Justin Thibault // Dec 10, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Steve - I think Mark was being absurd.
4 Justin Thibault // Dec 10, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Mark - LRT ain’t worth it until it goes to the airport…both of them.
5 MarkMartin // Dec 11, 2007 at 9:08 am
Justin - You are correct, well almost. I was trying to add some humor to the situation. And I agree, LRT needs to connect the airport.
Steve - No worries. I can honestly say I wouldn’t support an initiative like that in Harrisburg.