Imagine buying a home in German Village, Merion Village, Victorian Village, even on the East side of Downtown, maybe Olde Towne East. On your first Saturday in your new home you bring some coffee outside to enjoy the beautiful day. The birds are chirping, the sun is out, and your ears are bombarded by noise from racing cars getting their rev on at the old Cooper Stadium space. The Arena District, Grandview and Westgate areas are all likely to be in the path of noise from this race complex.  What if it’s only around 50-70 decibels? Well play this video and you tell me.

Allowing this racing complex to be built will negatively impact the personal enjoyment of homes in and around Downtown Columbus. Period.

Now, Today it is time to act. Tomorrow morning the three Franklin County Commissioners are voting whether or not to extend-for the third time-the Developer’s (Mr. Arshot) time needed to pass zoning and get his group’s act together. It looks like only 1 commissioner is leaning toward a no vote, we need to send a message.

First, educate yourself on the facts.

Noise Impact executive summary.  The entire noise impact study.

The Developer’s noise study (While ROAR’s noise study is over 170 pages with all the data, assumptions and conclusions included, Arshot Development’s noise study consists of a nothing more than a computer model with unknown inputs and assumptions.)

• The Columbus Audubon letter against the racing complex.
• The Franklinton Area Commission letter against the racing complex.
• The Downtown Residents Association letter against the racing complex.
• The German Village Society letter against the racing complex.
• The Southwest Area Commission letter against the racing complex.

Some thoughts from Redevelop Our Area Responsibly (R.O.A.R.) :Mr. Arshot was given two full years to clear zoning and has no good excuse for the delay.  I strongly suspect that when they asked for the first extension they assured the Commissioners they could get the job done within the first extension period.  As they have failed to do so, why should we believe them that another year will make a difference?

If we have to wait an entire year anyway, why not open the process for rebid?  Doing so would increase the chances of attracting the kind of use called for in the Cooper Alternative Plan – which never even discussed auto racing.  The economy is different now and there may be a better outcome with rebidding.
The Developer has been treated fairly.  Two years is fair.
A recitation of entities that have “expressed an interest” in participating in the project is essentially meaningless.  When the City of Columbus was shopping the eastern half of the Whittier Peninsula for development into a new neo-traditional neighborhood back in 2004-05, a number of entities “expressed interest” in developing it.  When all was said and done, however, no one was willing to commit.  If after two years Arshot can’t produce any firm commitments, that should tell us something.

Key responses to anticipated arguments
“If we open this to rebidding, Arshot may drop out entirely or be the only bidder at a substantially lower price – then we lose our bird in the hand.”  Response:  Given all that Arshot says it has invested in this process and all of the support it claims to have lined up, why would it drop out or risk a low bid that would cost it the property?  Besides, if they really thought they had a chance to get the property at a cheaper price, they would allow the contract to expire rather than seeking an extension.  They’re seeking an extension because they know darn well that if this gets reopened for new bids they will likely have to raise their bid or risk losing the property.  Whose interests are the Commissioners there to protect – Arshot’s, or the taxpayers?

“ROAR doesn’t have any other buyers lined up.”  Response:  How can we line up buyers before the County indicates a willingness to re-bid?  Deny the extension and let’s see what happens then.

“The County has done a great job negotiating the extension – it got Arshot to put up an extra $100,000!”  Response:  The County has to wait another year to get paid.  With the total purchase price being $3.3 million, a $100,000 payment to buy a one-year delay amounts to three percent interest on the purchase price.  Is that really the best deal that the County can strike?  At a minimum, the County should delay its vote and try to get more concessions.

Don’t Wait. Time is running out. Call and email these offices who control the future of noise pollution not only on the West side, but all over Columbus.

Commissioner John O’Grady
Executive Assistant: Sharon Keels
Tel: 614-462-5589 
Fax: 614-462-5999 
E-mail: skkeels@FranklinCountyOhio.gov

Commissioner Paula Brooks
Executive Assistant: Whitney Secrest
Tel: 614-462-5729 
Fax: 614-462-5999 
E-mail: wesecres@FranklinCountyOhio.gov

Commissioner Marilyn Brown
Executive Assistant: Laura Stehle 
Tel: 614-462-3461
Fax: 614-462-5999 
E-mail: ljstehle@FranklinCountyOhio.gov

County Administrator Don L. Brown
Executive Assistant: Mary Jane Harper 
Tel: 614-462-5337 
Fax: 614-462-5940 
E-mail: mjharper@FranklinCountyOhio.gov

Deputy County Administrator William Flaherty
Executive Assistant: Sandy Menedis 
Tel: 614-462-4263 
Fax: 614-462-5940 
E-mail: skmenedi@FranklinCountyOhio.gov

Office of Management and Budget (Staff)
Tel: 614-462-4132 
Fax: 614-462-5999 

Public Affairs (Staff)
Tel: 614-462-3322
Fax: 614-462-5999