Editorial
Getting to the core of Speedway debate

HARLEY SOLTES / THE SEATTLE TIMES Fans atop the roofs of RVs in the infield watch the NASCAR Pop Secret 500 at California Raceway in Fontana, Calif., earlier this month.

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The process would benefit greatly from a publicly elected skeptic — someone open to the idea of the public good that might spin off this expensive business enterprise, but insistent upon a full explanation.

"Preferred site" means speedway developers will cease talks with other sites around Washington and in Oregon until negotiations are final or reach an impasse. Nothing is certain, for good reason.

Local officials who gathered in Everett were pleased by the selection, but Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon was plain-spoken about the critical role of the Legislature and the next governor. A speedway near Marysville will require substantial participation by the state before NASCAR's thunder is heard.

After looking at several sites throughout the Pacific Northwest, an ISC subsidiary — Great Western Sports — will meet with officials from the county and Marysville to nail down how much things cost and who pays for them.

The list is long enough to subdue enthusiasm: transportation snarls, land costs, environmental mitigation, engineering and building costs and recreation options. Many of the money questions focus on financing mechanisms not currently permitted under state law.

Lt. Gov. Brad Owen told the press conference he has scheduled an Oct. 6 meeting of the Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations to air the results of negotiations and find out what Great Western Sports expects.

The record of these tracks as economic dynamos is mixed, as Seattle Times reporter Emily Heffter has reported. She wrote Saturday about the apparent popular success of The California Speedway in Fontana, Calif., but the disappointing results for the community.

Marysville Mayor Dennis Kendall spoke yesterday of his vision for a great regional park with a race track in the middle. Later, tribal leaders said the announcement is spurring hotel plans.

As Snohomish County and speedway developers talk about the future together, someone has to play the role of informed doubt-er. This is all a very big opportunity, but as Reardon noted, at its core it is a business deal.