SCHERERVILLE, Ind. (AP) - Officials in a northwestern Indiana community are hoping to turn a race track that hosted its last race in 2016 into a business park that can lure new industries and jobs to the region.
The town of Schererville plans to turn the former Illiana Motor Speedway into a business park once it gets the property rezoned to allow for a commercial business park. That change would require approval of the town council and plan commission.
The 50-acre site off U.S. 30 would require extensive work to prepare it for development, including putting in streets, drainage, storm sewers and other infrastructure, The (Northwest Indiana) Times reported.
The town acquired the track, which opened in 1945, shortly after it closed in 2016 in the community located about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of Gary.
Town Manager Robert Volkmann envisions professional offices, potentially light industrial facilities and other businesses filling the site. The Lake County Economic Alliance would help market the business park to developers and businesses.
“We think this could create new job opportunities in town,” Volkmann said.
The track itself remains in place, but the previous owners sold off the bleachers, stadium lights and safety netting in the track’s corners. The town has already dismantled the press box, concession stand and a house on the property.
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