What's next for Five Mile Point Speedway? Some residents oppose development plan
Five Mile Point Speedway has roared back to life this month in the Town of Kirkwood.
The track’s 73rd consecutive year of dirt track racing was unexpected. The quarter-mile speedway closed in October but with the sale of the track and its 41 acres delayed, promoters put together an abbreviated scheduled with a Spring Triple Crown in April followed by a Summer Series.
What’s next for the track may be determined this week as the Kirkwood town board considers a proposal to rezone the property, paving the way for the construction of two industrial buildings that could bring jobs to the area. Some residents, though, have launched a campaign opposed to the development. A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday evening.
Here’s what you need to know.
What is proposed at 5 Mile Point?
Five Mile Point Warehouse Investors, an affiliate of Equilibrium Equities, has proposed erecting two new warehouse buildings on the property.
A 227,500 square foot building would be accessed via the southern leg of the intersection at Frances and Robert streets. The other warehouse, spanning 236,250 square feet, would be accessed via a driveway to Frances Street located about 200 feet to the east of the Roberts Street intersection.
Adam Meinstein, of Five Mile Point Investors, told the Kirkwood planning board earlier this year that the buildings feature a flexible design to allow for different uses. Though tenants haven’t yet committed to the project, the company is planning to bring manufacturing or warehouse operations to the site. Meinstein said one interested tenant could create 175 jobs at the facility.
The company’s application to the town board anticipates a total of 300-plus employees working at the site, with development costs over $40 million. Construction is expected to take 10-16 months depending on the start date.
Based in Pennsylvania, the company has constructed or renovated over 5 million square feet over the last two decades. It is familiar with Kirkwood after acquiring the former Penguin Random House building on Grossett Drive nearly eight years ago. The company also operates projects in Elmira in the Southern Tier.
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Why are some residents opposing development at Five Mile Point?
Kirkwood's planning board recommended the town approve the zoning change to industrial development. The board did note two concerns — the change to the character of the neighborhood and the impact of traffic on Frances Street.
Kirkwood residents have raised similar issues. A change.org petition organized by Angela Tokos, Save Five Mile Point’s Residential Neighborhood, has received over 500 signatures. Tokos cited environmental justice concerns regarding air quality, water and sewer issues, truck emissions and noise. The uncertainty regarding what type of business will fill the buildings created additional consternation among residents.
Traffic concerns were also highlighted by Tokos, who noted a determination by the Broome County Department of Planning and Economic Development that rezoning would “significantly alter the community character in this neighborhood and could have potentially significant impacts.”
A traffic impact study and sound discussion regarding the proposal are available on the town's website.
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What’s next?
The public hearing is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 25 at Floyd Bell Elementary School at 15 Golden St. in Kirkwood. The public hearing was initially scheduled for April 4, but it was moved because the town board room wasn’t large enough to accommodate every person in attendance.
The public hearing is required before the town board considers whether or not to approve the rezoning.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: 5 Mile Point rezoning plan has created rift in Kirkwood: What to know
