NASCAR HOF Planners Seek Additional $32M To Build More Exhibits

Planners Seeking Additional $32M To Finish Building NASCAR HOF

The planners for the new NASCAR HOF in Charlotte "want an extra $32[M] to build better exhibits, increase the building's energy efficiency and pay for unexpected construction costs," according to a front-page piece by Julia Oliver of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. An approval "would bring the total cost of the project to $195[M]." Oliver notes "most of the increase -- $17[M] -- would go toward exhibits." NASCAR HOF Exec Dir Winston Kelley said that "it would push the exhibit budget to $30[M] and allow for more 'interactive' displays." Kelley added that the facility "would include a movie theater with 250 seats, three screens and rumbling surround sound." Kelley noted that "less money would mean more 'static' exhibits," and the "early investment would pay off in attendance." Kelley: "If you don't get it right, right off the bat, it's going to hurt your guest experience." Assistant City Manager Jim Schumacher said that planners "have long known they would need more than the $13[M] originally budgeted for the exhibits." Schumacher: "We as a city did not want to commit to spend more. We now have the 2[%] tax that's been levied since 2006. The receipts for that tax are very good." Schumacher yesterday said that he is "'99.9[%] sure' that this is the last time the project will need more money." Schumacher: "You can never be 100[%] sure. The good part of the story is getting a better facility, a facility that will be a stronger draw for visitors." The Charlotte City Council is scheduled to vote on the increase on September 22 (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 9/9).