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Racetrack plan moving at slow gallop
By: Susan Bush - November 16th, 2004
POWNAL, Vt. — Success may finally be prancing at the Green Mountain Race Track starting gate.
Racetrack owner John Tietgens said Friday that he's convinced that Progress Partners Ltd.’s development strategy for the long dormant Route 7 property — which could include a retail center, housing and an entertainment venue — is destined for a winner's circle. The partnership has signed a purchase and sales agreement for over $1 million. A closing date for the sale is not definite because he had to postpone the Nov. 12 closing to go out of town, Tietgens said, but he stressed that he is convinced it will happen.
“I'm not concerned about any phase of this, I'm really not," he said.
He cited the professional abilities of partnership principals James Paqua, owner of JP Construction in Shaftsbury, and Richard F. Hein of Shaftsbury, owner of Richard F. Hein Architects and Landscape Services of Larchmont, N.Y.
"They have the wherewithal to get this done," Tietgens said.
Paqua and Hein worked to squelch any doubts about their plans during a Nov. 4 Selectmen's meeting, at which Chairman Nelson Brownell noted the site's history of failed proposals. Among the failures have been plans for horse racing and a Las Vegas style casino.
"We've had a few false starts, and we're hoping this is the one going through the gates," Brownell said.
"This is the one. Don't worry about it," Hein answered.
Access issues surrounding the Guilford Transportation railroad crossings that slice across both property entrances will not kill the deal, Hein and Paqua said. That issue contributed to the demise of Dorset businessman Jack Appelman's purchase plans earlier this year.
Hein acknowledged the issues and said that lengthy negotiations about the crossings are expected.
"We are engaged in a healthy debate [with Guilford officials]," Hein said. "It's been cooperative."
Speaking on Monday, Bennington County Industrial Corp. Executive Director Peter Odierna said that track-crossing options are being evaluated. Odierna attended the Selectmen's meeting as well.
Another obstacle, the property's non-compliant sewer system, may dissolve with the construction of a new town wastewater treatment system. System construction is under way, and the plan was designed to allow a racetrack connection. Proposed development would utilize much more of the 144-acre site, and a state-approved wastewater system is a must.
"Certainly the sewer will be critical in the development," Odierna said, adding that an initial “needs assessment’ could begin soon.
"We are already in the process internally of bringing that sewer to the property as soon as possible," he said.
During the meeting, Hein and Paqua described plans for mixed use at the site, and listed a made-in-Vermont product retail village, housing and entertainment venues. Jobs and housing go hand-in-hand, Paqua said.
"You can create all the jobs in the world, but if you ain't got anywhere for them [employees] to stay, what good is it?" he said.
Odierna emphasized the employment potential.
"One of the most significant aspects is the jobs — and we're not talking about minimum-wage, no-benefit jobs," he said. "The goal is to increase the wage for this area. We've had discussions about driving job development in this plan."
Job creation alone won't launch community prosperity, however, he said.
"We can make jobs available to people in the community, but people in the community have to start planning for those jobs," he said. "This is skilled labor, and if you don't have those skills, you can't expect someone to give you a $50,000 job. That's not going to happen."
Education opportunities are available at the Southwestern Vermont Career Development Center and elsewhere, he said.
During the meeting, the partners stressed their desire to showcase the Hoosic River frontage and the site's imposing grandstand. Office space, sports venues, community areas and even a banquet hall are all under consideration, Hein and Paqua said.
"We have to put some money into it, but we have something to work with," Paqua said. "There's so many things this area doesn't get because we don't have the facilities for it."
Odierna said there are 1.5 million people living within 50 miles of Bennington, which indicates a dense population that could be drawn to the site.
The group plans to use a recently-awarded $30,000 state Community Development grant targeting the site. Citizen input is a grant component, and the Selectmen announced that a town committee would be formed. Brownell said any interested residents should contact the board. A committee should be in place by the Selectmen's first December meeting, he said. He stressed that ideas from people not on the committee would be welcome. Hein urged people to describe their thoughts in writing.
Site design and a multifaceted permit process is expected to be time-consuming. Paqua and Hein said that they are doing some cleanup and evaluation work at the property.
"Me and Rich are ready to go," Paqua said. "We're excited, but we have a lot of work ahead of us." |
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