In Richmond, Michael Phillips notes a "large chunk of the track is missing at Richmond Raceway" as construction continues on its renovation project, a $30M effort. The first beams of steel yesterday "were placed for the new garages, which will allow fans to watch teams working on the cars for the first time." To accommodate that demand, a new pedestrian tunnel is "being constructed, which necessitates tearing out a large chunk of the track." That chunk "will be returned long before" the track's Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race in April, though the "new fan structures won’t be unveiled until the fall race next year" (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 12/5).
BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME: In Austin, Kevin Lyttle in a front-page piece notes Austin Sports & Entertainment, partnering with Rodeo Austin, "intends to work with the city of Austin and Travis County governments to replace the Travis County Exposition Center with a 15,000-seat arena adjacent to a 40,000-seat open-air facility." The complex is "designed to include office space, a convention area, medical facilities, retail and eight courtyards" and could "house a wide variety of sports events, concerts, trade shows and festivals." AS&E did "not disclose the project’s price tag, which they say will be a high bar to hurdle" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 12/5).
BLUE SAGA: In St. Louis, Mike Faulk in a front-page piece notes city Comptroller Darlene Green yesterday "signaled a likely appeal of a judge’s order that she sign off" on a $64M financing agreement between the city and the Blues for "renovating Scottrade Center." St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Joan Moriarty last week gave Green until yesterday to "sign the agreement." A spokesperson for Green said that she "signed the document, but won’t turn it over to the Blues until she has a chance to appeal" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 12/5).
