February 17, 2010 in City

Raceway choices pared

Committee recommends track operator applicants

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Four operators want to take over Spokane County Raceway Park, and a committee has narrowed the field to two, county commissioners learned Tuesday.

Purchasing Director Bela Kovacs identified the finalists as J-Mar Racing Inc. of Woodburn, Ore., and the St. Albert, Alberta, partnership of Donald G. Hodgson and Charles M. Allen.

Kovacs said an 11-member selection committee of county employees and citizens will interview the finalists Monday and recommend one to commissioners.

The other applicants for the raceway park contract are Bernard E. Longjohn, of Sun City West, Ariz., and a local partnership called Advocates for Spokane Raceway Park, composed of Spokane Valley resident Andy Kautzman and Coeur d’Alene resident Paul Plummer.

Details about the applicants and their proposals were not available Tuesday.

One of the factors used to narrow the field was the amount of rent each applicant offered to pay the county. But Kovacs declined to release the amounts, saying a more thorough analysis was needed before he could give precise numbers.

“There is a certain amount of calculation that’s involved,” Kovacs said.

The applicants responded to a “request for qualifications,” not a request for bids based on precise specifications. They were allowed some flexibility in the way they couched their offers.

Rent is just one factor county officials plan to consider. Experience and financial stability also are important, said Parks Director Doug Chase, who oversees the raceway.

Officials want no repetition of last year’s botched first season under county ownership. Operator Austin Motorsports Management racked up $1.1 million in unpaid bills, and six local contractors sued the county.

Commissioners canceled Austin’s 25-year, renewable lease and set tighter conditions for a new five-year contract that can be renewed for five more years.

The new contractor will have to post a bond or some other guarantee that rent and taxes will be paid.

Also, the new operator won’t be allowed to make capital improvements without county approval. The county will supervise construction projects under state public works regulations.

Chase said John Hedy, who represented drag racers on the committee, stepped down because of a conflict and will be replaced.

County officials had hoped the new operator would begin work at the speedway on March 1, but “I’m not sure that’s realistic at this point,” Kovacs said.

The March 1 goal was set before the deadline for applications was extended almost three weeks.

Four comments on this story so far. Add yours!

• 

  MrDavis on February 17 at 8:01 a.m.

  Funding vital to public safety continues to languish while county resources contiue to be squandered.

• 

  deacon46 on February 17 at 9:51 a.m.

  It blows my mind that a Local Government should be involved beyond regulation in such a narrowed focused and drain on public resources business. Politicians can’t even manage the city and the county well. Take the financial hit and embarrassement (shared by all of us) and close this ill conceived endless money drain.

• 

  Orange on February 17 at 11:10 a.m.

  Like I said in other articles concerning the Airway Heights track. Yes it would be nice, but now is not the time to be WASTING funds like this. 1.1 million in bills? There’s no where near the income to cover that. Not last year, this year, or the next.

  So Spokane County, here’s a very good question for you. Under our current money issues in the county, how can you justify such frivilous spending? Don’t you think this is fiscally unsound at the moment. In fact for years to come I see no break. This doesn’t even deserve the back burner. Go ahead and reply to this. I’m sure lots of people are curious.

• 

  KyleNickels on February 23 at 4:44 a.m.

  It is important to point out that the 1.1 million was not encumbered by a public official but the previous and apparently over zelous operator. It also is apparent that the County has learned it’s lesson and now is taking very diligent measures to insure the security of the County assets and funds.

  A well run operation such as this track, with a road course, drag strip and oval track is unique and an outstanding opportunity to make the County substantial income.This is not conjecture but proven by the successful operation on many new tracks which do not have all the capabilities tha SCR has.

  Instead of being so negative local residents should be apprecaitive of this resource and the diligence your County officials are taking now.