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Farmer City makes no changes to fairgrounds
By Bruce Yentes
bruce.yentes@lee.net
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FARMER CITY — An overwhelming majority of those speaking at a public hearing Monday night expressed a desire to see the Farmer City Fairgrounds and South Park remain in their present form as the owners try to resolve a property dispute over the two parcels.

On the table is a proposal from the Farmer City Fair Association to trade the 45-acre South Park property along, with 20-25 acres of land north of Interstate 74, for the 48-acre fairgrounds owned by the city.

Fair Association spokesman Rick Corneglio told the gathering that the Fair Board’s proposal was the only way to provide the community with all of its desires as expressed by those in attendance Monday.

“Do we want industrial development in Farmer City?” said Corneglio, the last of 25 people to speak at the hearing. “Of course we do, and that can come with the property north of the interstate.”

Corneglio added that residential development is already taking place at Prairie Ridge on the west edge of the community with room for desired commercial development.

Residential or commercial?

The hearing began with an initial draft of a report by Robin Hanna of the Rural Economic Technical Assistance Center.

The center was retained by the city in May to analyze the fiscal impact of the potential development of the fairgrounds and the Snow Farms property north of the interstate that is part of the proposed swap.

Hanna told the gathering that the best use of the fairgrounds property, if it were to be developed, would be for a “multi-family rental complex,” as well as a mix of low and high tech commercial enterprises.

All of the scenarios are speculative at this point, however, and with no concrete plans for development or negotiations with any company, most people at the hearing expressed a fear of losing what the community already has with no guarantee that the properties would be developed after being returned to their original form when the leases expire.

“If we lose South Park and the fairgrounds, I don’t think the community can recover,” said Rick Noble, a Blue Ridge school board member. “We have to look at the big picture and if we take one piece away, we’re not complete.”

Many were most concerned with the possible loss of Farmer City Raceway. If no agreement is reached, next season would be the last for stock car racing at the ¼-mile dirt track.

With that possibility, Tracy Feger of Bloomington initiated an online petition urging the city to swap properties with the fair board to keep the raceway alive.

Feger told Monday night’s hearing that 1,191 people have signed the Internet petition. Another 691 fans at the track signed the petition at last Friday night’s races.

The hearing was held before a packed crowd at the American Legion Hall. City Council members answered no questions at the hearing and were unable to take any action. A city ordinance will need to be drafted before a vote can be taken on the land swap proposal. That vote could come as early as the council meeting on August 20.

Hanna emphasized that his report was an initial draft, with more work to be done in estimating the amount of revenue that development could bring to the city and how much it would cost long term.

He emphasized the housing aspect, saying “if you don’t have sufficient housing you can’t lure industry to the area.”

As for Snow Farms, Hanna said the property could be attractive to a steel fabrication entity, a motor vehicle parts and accessories facility, a telephone call center or a corn-based snack food manufacturer.

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Reader comments on this story - 34 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Lived here a long time wrote on Sep 27, 2007 11:20 PM:

" There is an educated, silent majority in FC who would like nothing better than to see the races come to an end. You won't find a lot of us at the city council meetings because we don't care to argue about the topic. I don't mind if people want to enjoy the races, but I want to be able to enjoy my home and yard on Friday nights. As long as the races continue, non-race fans cannot hope to do this. I would like to propose that we move the races to Mahomet. I am sure the citizens in Mahomet would welcome the opportunity to host such a fine event! LOL "

So... wrote on Aug 20, 2007 1:09 PM:

" You come here to spend money at the gas stations and grocery store, and maybe the Cafe. This doesn't bring any revenue to the city, only a select few businesses. Meanwhile, the Fair board wants cheap rent which doesn't even pay the annual taxes. The primary complaints/praise are for the races themselves and an individuals enjoyment rather than the cost to the City. "

me wrote on Aug 16, 2007 2:17 PM:

" Yeah! What Dan from Leroy said!!!! Well said!!!! "

TO Carlton wrote on Aug 16, 2007 2:16 PM:

" You moved to the wrong place then and If I was you I would move because I can tell you that there is a lot more people that love the track and would do anything to keep it. We are not dirty people and that tracks has been there long before you 200,000 home... So for you to build or buy a home by the track is your own fault. I'm sure there is people that would love to you give you 200,000 for you home that are dirty people that love racing... "

fc best dirt track racing wrote on Aug 16, 2007 1:56 PM:

" It was funny on 4th of July we were at Lake Bloomington and they have a sign that READ: FARMER CITY, IL HOME OF THE BEST DIRT TRACK RACING IN THE UNITED STATES. That is what FC is known for and if you take it away we will be nothing, and they are right, HUCKS, Casey, the family restraunt and the other small restraunts will hurt because the RACE TRUCK BRINGS FC A lot of money. It also give our kids something to do and keeps them out of trouble. "

Dan from LeRoy wrote on Aug 14, 2007 3:38 PM:

" The Farmer City Raceway draws a good sized crowd into town, 1,000 plus on friday nights. However when you drive into this community from the West on Rt 150 what are you greeted by? A run down junkyard and an elevator. If you come in from the west on Rt 54 from Clinton you see a partially developed sub division a closed Freedom station and the Fish Wagon. If you come in off of Interstate 74 you do see a Hucks gas station and a family restraunt but as you make your way to the raceway you see run down houses and a closed Deweys drive inn. Drive through the town and you see more run down houses and a non thriving buisness district! Farmer City needs to have something that the people who do come for our races will be able to look at and say, we will have to come back and check this out! That is what the town lacks! Fix up the community, fix up the apperance around the outskirts of town! Otherwise, what else can the city offer to the outsiders right now except the Racetrack as a draw to the community? Antiques anyone?? "

to "dirty" person... wrote on Aug 14, 2007 11:15 AM:

" don't base your opinions of the people of Farmer City on Carlton and his few merry friends. The majority of the people of Farmer City want this land swap and want to keep the races. A few bad apples don't spoil the bunch. "

where are wrote on Aug 14, 2007 11:14 AM:

" the $200,000 homes near the fair ground, if so would the owners rather have an industry or low income housing next to their property? "

dirty person wrote on Aug 14, 2007 10:57 AM:

" So i'm a dirty person because I like to watch dirt track races- I guess since I'm a dirty person then the money I spend at local places when I go to the track on Friday isn't good enough for you! Guess I'll make sure my gas tank is full and I pack a cooler for snacks on the ride home so my money doesn't get spent in YOUR precious little town. Let the track stop running and soon you'll see that your businesses are hurting for sales on Fridays. We "dirty" people" spend more money in your town on Friday nights than you know and we'll see who's hurting more if the track stops running. and if a resolution is made to keep the track open you can bet I'll NEVER spend another dime in your town since you don't appreciate oyr business anyway. "

? hit it..... wrote on Aug 14, 2007 10:31 AM:

" right on the head. Former Councilmen Randy Matthews came to FC with an agenda, and has done nothing but tear apart our community since he came here. Outsiders like Randy, who do nothing but complain about everything for their own personal, selfish gain are the real root of the evil here. Joe and Chico's mouths move, but it is Randy doing the talking. This is the most ridiculous argument I have ever seen in my life - tear everything down and gain nothing in return. "

? wrote on Aug 14, 2007 10:14 AM:

" Didn't this whole thing start, when Robinson pulled his trucking firm out of FC and moved to Mahomet because he could not get the land that the race track sits on? And as for Carlton and the many others that want to knock FC, get a grip! FC is a great place with great people! For those of you that want to look at the economics of FC, just look at the problems that Mahomet and its schools had recently due to their growth. It is moving west and Mansfield will be next, which will put an added burden on them as well. Eventually it will get to FC and the changes will occur so rapidly that everyone will say, "Where did my town go?" People of FC, enjoy it now, it is only going to get worse. FC keep your engines reved up and enjoy the (so called) dirty people that come to your community every Friday night, because more Carltons are headed your way! "

Racetrack wrote on Aug 14, 2007 10:03 AM:

" Leave it as it is. The City says they want to build something there. What a joke. The City and it's residents have done nothing but run people out of that town for years. How about the flower shop on the corner next to Peoples? How about the Hallmark store? Just recently, Mc McIllvain has been criticized and run to the ground. And for what? He has done nothing but good for the town. Ex: Easter Egg Hunt, The Haunted House, the work he has done to beautify downtown. The Scarecrow festival? And all because he is gay. Who cares. McDonalds tried to come into town, and the city slammed the door on that. The City's pocket's are being lined by Bob Sargeant. Once the City gets the land back, a bigger and better track from the likes of Bob, Stewart, Wallace, and Schrader are sure to go up. I wouldn't trust your fellow city council members. They are in it for the money, not for the town. "

it's my understanding..... wrote on Aug 14, 2007 9:44 AM:

" the fair association is not supposed to be able to sub-lease the fairgrounds.........but have been doing it for several years. Where is that money going? My guess not to the City, where it should be! Sounds like a Pied Piper is trying to lead all his foolish followers down a path for his personal gain........ "

it is just wrote on Aug 14, 2007 9:27 AM:

" a feud full of hate and anger. People with any smarts at all know that the Snow farm is prime farm land and that a earth moving machiine could quickly fix any flaws. We all know that another park could be rebuilt, BUT the taxpaper will have to pay the bill for it. Leave it like it is............. "

To Carlton wrote on Aug 14, 2007 9:11 AM:

" Some of their cars and equipment they use, is worth more than your house. Who do you think you are. They were there before you built your house. "

Oh, Carlton!! wrote on Aug 14, 2007 9:09 AM:

" You are too funny!! I saw you walking out of that trailer, or is it not yours????? How about some HONESTY for once!!! (BUSTED!!) "

Becky wrote on Aug 14, 2007 9:08 AM:

" Has any one checked to see if you have any covenants or restrictions on the sale or the use of the property. If the land was donated to the city for Fair and a Raceway use. There could be a stipulation in the Deed or Covenants, stating the use and restrictions for the use of the property if it was every to be sold. "

To: Dan from LeRoy wrote on Aug 14, 2007 8:43 AM:

" So you think that all Farmer City is about is crummy race track, used 15 nights a year, plus a 5-day white-trash fair? The town is much more than a fairground and race track - if anything, those aspects continue to pull it down. Why don't you use your energy to move the whole shootin' match to LeRoy? Site it southwest of town, near those smelly hog barns? See how excited your community would be to have that opportunity, and to deal with the fair mafia. Then you can also find out firsthand how very little that mess enhances a community economically. "

Spin city wrote on Aug 14, 2007 8:25 AM:

" The fair board wants ownership or a long-term lease to continue to qualify for state "rehab" funds. This is how they have accumulated mega$ over the years, allowing them to afford 80 acres of prime farm ground and South Park. All of this done on the collective backs of the community, while leasing the current property for a pittance. They have paid less than $100 per month over the past several decades, so they can build their treasury at the expense of the town and now hold South Park hostage. Wouldn't it be nice to lease 50 acres of property for approx. $20 per acre per year? And they have the gall to try and make the city look like the guys in the black hats. By the way, they can live with a short-term lease - it will just cut into the mega$ they want to continue to reap from the state. Have you seen them reinvest that money into the community for the collective good, instead of for their own selfish agenda? "

hahaha wrote on Aug 14, 2007 8:12 AM:

" By people fighting for the fairgounds, shows why Farmer City is the armpit of central IL. It brings zilch in for the city, very little in revenue for the other businesses, what gas stations are even close to the fairgrounds?? But, people are asking the city to do a land swap, where the city will get basically swampland. Shows the mentality of those in the area. Nevermind the town is going to waste and could use an economic makeover that a new development could provide. "

Dirty people NOT wrote on Aug 14, 2007 7:56 AM:

" Carlton that is not the case, yes there might be dirty people from the dirt of the track but to describe race fans and participants as dirty is a far cry from the truth. Go to CNN and look up "Dirt Track Warriors" to learn more about the sport. "

fairboard is stupid wrote on Aug 14, 2007 6:51 AM:

" they bought a swamp thinking the city would just trade for the fairgrounds........why don't they build their nice fair grounds on the farmground they bought with grant money they received from the state? "

Honest Truth wrote on Aug 14, 2007 6:44 AM:

" I live less than a mile from the race track and as much as I can't stand how loud the races get on Friday nights or listening to my neighbor rev up his car while he's working on it...I understand the need Farmer City has for the raceway. It brings in a decent amount of business to our local gas stations, grocery store and sometimes the antique stores. Unfortunately the city doesn't make squat on profits from the tickets sold for the races. What we really need to be negotiating on is the city getting a larger cut of profits from the ticket sales. "

farmer city wrote on Aug 14, 2007 5:13 AM:

" to Carlton Why did you move here if you didn't like the noise and dirt? If you don't like it now then just move we won't miss you. "

none wrote on Aug 13, 2007 11:36 PM:

" why would you build a $200,000 house near an armpit? you're obviously better than that! "

Carlton wrote on Aug 13, 2007 8:49 PM:

" Close it down. I moved near this armpit from a larger metro. area. I am tired of the noise and dirty people that drive by my $200,000 house. This encourages drinking and driving. So I say, close it down. "

do they wrote on Aug 13, 2007 8:26 PM:

" The fair ground was given to the city years ago by a prominent citizen that was a real Fair booster to be used for a fair and raceway. I am sure that the people so against the fair never realized that the land was given for a purpose. "

Do what it takes..... wrote on Aug 13, 2007 6:28 PM:

" SAVE FARMER CITY RACEWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

Dan from LeRoy wrote on Aug 13, 2007 5:20 PM:

" The Farmer City Raceway is the biggest draw to town that there is, or ever will be! Anyone care to argue this point with me?? What else can Farmer City offer to the general public? Antiques?? "

Fair wrote on Aug 13, 2007 3:58 PM:

" You can do away with the fair - it has nothing to offer anyway - but the race track is what draws us to the Farmer City area!! Without the races there is no reason to go to Farmer City. "

yep wrote on Aug 13, 2007 3:55 PM:

" There is more to Farmer City than the race track?!?! Like what? Caseys? Cabinetland? Please... "

Kriss wrote on Aug 13, 2007 3:45 PM:

" There will be almost no reason to go to Farmer City if they do away with the races. "

I agree wrote on Aug 13, 2007 3:44 PM:

" with H.F. I can't believe they're even considering getting rid of that race track. "

H.F. wrote on Aug 13, 2007 3:19 PM:

" I can honestly say I will never step foot in Farmer City if the race track no longer exists..... "
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