FeedsRace track approval irks city leaders
When Michigan Racing Commissioner Christine C. White issued a track license to Post It Stables, Inc. for a horse race track in Huron Township, advocates of horse racing cheered loudly.
But officials in Romulus, who spent nearly three years supporting a plan to build a harness racing track within their city that ultimately fell apart last year were left cold.
“I am very pleased to announce that thoroughbred racing will continue here in Michigan,” White said. “Our office has worked with Post It Stables, Inc. to make this happen.”
Though the approval of the license was a big coup for Huron Township, it effectively negates the City of Romulus’ ability to attract another operator for a parcel of land near Vining and Interstate 94, where Canadian track operator Magna purchased land for a harness racing facility that was later scrapped.
“Don’t get me wrong, but I wish Huron (Township) all the best with the facility,” said Mayor Alan Lambert. “The approval of the license does mean that we’ll never get a track – there’s just not the means to support two tracks that close to each other.”
Dueling plans
Officials from Magna Entertainment Group last year backed out of a deal to construct a $100 million horseracing track, which was tentatively called Michigan Downs.
Magna officials informed the Office of the Racing Commissioner that they would no longer seek a racing permit for a Romulus location in August 2007.
The track was part of a “racino” concept for the vacant land surrounding Detroit Metropolitan Airport, and was a cornerstone to making Romulus an entertainment destination for all of Southeast Michigan. It was to be a companion project to the proposed casino and hotel, which is also in a holding pattern as federal approvals are sought.
The reason Magna gave for nixing the casino was lower-than-expected earnings, which were announced to stockholders days before the company pulled out of the deal.
But late last year, Wayne County sold a parcel of land to Jerry Campbell, the operator who will open a horseracing track in Huron Township. Romulus officials felt thwarted, said Lambert.
“Of course we felt like we were undercut,” he said. “I think the track would have worked better here – the land in Huron is a terrible parcel; there’s no infrastructure on it.”
Wayne County officials, who recognize a dire need for jobs, felt they had to act on new opportunities for growth in the county, said Vanessa Denha-Garmo, spokesperson for Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano.
“We are working with Romulus on various projects and potential economic development opportunities,” she said. “We are committed to Romulus. Regrettably, Magna entertainment gave up their racing license and interest in building a race track. An opportunity arose with Jerry Campbell; the race track will not only be an economic stimulus for the region, including Romulus, but the project is expected to create 1,100 jobs.”
“Huron Township has cooperated well with the county,” said Denha-Garmo. “We appreciate their efforts to make this project work. There was no intention to circumvent Romulus. This was an opportunity we could not pass on.”
Next moves
According to the Horse Racing Law of 1995, only three track licenses can be issued in the metro-Detroit area. The license given to Post-It was once held by Detroit Race Course. It was then granted to Magna, who relinquished it.
Magna is still working with the city to develop the parcel, and there is the possibility that a shopping center could be opened in the future.
Post It plans to have its first race in July 2008.
