Raceway agreed on closure
Kennedale?s drag strip, a fixture since 1961 in Kennedale, had agreed with the City of Kennedale that this season would be its last. Yet, the strip has been vague about the actual closing. {{more:Read more …}}
While it has an contractual agreement on the books with the City, TexasRaceway
has been mum about the closing this fall on its webpage and has hinted on Facebook in a recent posting that there would be a 2017 season. Telling readers, ?We appreciate you racing with us this year and we look forward to racing in 2017!? A phone recording on the race track?s phone gives the same message.But, neither is there any racing events posted on their calendar for next year, except an end of the year banquet at Mercado Juarez in January.
The City of Kennedale has not hidden their desire to redevelop the area along New Hope Road and it is the adopted city master plan. This area has been the home of three race tracks up to several years ago. Texas Raceway and Kennedale Speedway Park, the two remaining tracks, have been in discussion for several years with Kennedale about closing.
Kennedale had reached a develop agreement with the Kennedale Raceway owners two years ago. The development agreement according to the race track owners was predicated on both of the remaining tracks closing. Texas Raceway set a date for this year. Kennedale Speedway Park has yet to agree to a closing date.
In October, Cindi McMillan, representing the Raceway, addressed the Kennedale City Council to express their frustration as owners. She and her husband had purchased the track in 2002 and said that they had always worked with the City of Kennedale. (information provided from approved minutes)
She said that in 2013 they were advised of the City?s plan to close all the race tracks by the end of October. So in good faith they had entered into a developer agreement with the city. They have worked with several developers who have expressed interest in their property, but have not been able to give them a firm date. She said that according to the City of Kennedale plans, Kennedale?s other race track, Kennedale Speedway Park would be closed by mid-2017. But without a firm commitment on a date for closure, residential/commercial development can not proceed.
The City has agreed to a two year extension of the 10 year development plan since the first two years have expired on the original agreement sign with the owners of Raceway.
Kennedale City Manager Bob Hart commented to the Kennedale News on Wednesday that as far as the city understood Texas Raceway was closed for racing. He had not heard otherwise from the owners.Links used in this article
