The NASCAR Hall of Fame moved closer to a multi-million dollar makeover on Monday when a key City Council committee approved a plan to spend $25 million to renovate the Uptown attraction.
The economic development committee’s unanimous vote means the plan will now go to the full council for consideration, probably this fall.
Why it matters: Built in 2009, the NASCAR Hall of Fame is one of Charlotte’s most visible tourist attractions, contributing about $74 million a year to the local economy, according to the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.
Plan details
If approved, the renovation would be funded by a 2% tax on hotel rooms — money dedicated to venue maintenance. The renovation plan includes $12-15 million for construction and an estimated $10 million for design, furniture, permitting, etc.
The building is owned by the city of Charlotte. Upgrades would include:
relocating a cafe and gift shop
additional event space
new education space
enhanced security features.
The hall selected Gensler, a local architecture firm, to design the project.
Hall of Fame officials first broached the city about renovating the building at a June committee meeting.
What people are saying
Council member Ed Driggs, who previously expressed concerns about the project’s “financials,” voted Monday to advance the plan. He said he was pleased with the hall’s recent performance, noting the 200,000 people who visit each year. “I’m comfortable about the capacity and I wouldn’t want to second-guess the judgment of the people running the hall in terms of the suitability of these improvements,” Driggs said. “I’m prepared to make a motion to approve.”
James Mitchell, an at-large council member, said the project should coordinate with the city’s newly created Office of Youth Opportunities. “I think it would be a great story, even if we had just one student to participate in this project.
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Amanda is a reporter covering general assignments. She grew up in Charlotte and has a degree from UNC Charlotte.