Why investing in Nashville Fairgrounds' Speedway matters to citizens | Opinion

Every person out there has a special place that means something to them – your grandparents’ house, your high school, maybe – and the Fairgrounds Speedway is mine.

The track at the Fairgrounds has been part of my life since I was 5 years old. I lived a block and a half away from the racetrack. I was a regular at Fair Park, swimming at Cascade Plunge.

I conned my parents into taking me to a race as a starry-eyed toddler, and that was it. I was hooked for life. I even snuck into the races occasionally as a kid – don’t tell anybody! In my adult years I was able to make my living in racing, including a career in media and at track services in NASCAR.

So I may not be a driver, but I’m a racer at heart.

Counterpoint: Why Nashville needs a better deal for the Fairgrounds Speedway | Opinion

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Nashville citizens support racing at The Fairgrounds

In 2011, in the face of a proposal to demolish The Fairgrounds, including the historic speedway, Nashville spoke up forcefully. Hundreds of people worked to pass a referendum that would preserve the Fairgrounds for its existing uses, including stock car racing, and fully 71% of Nashville voters agreed.

Since that time, while there has been substantial investment at the Fairgrounds to build a new expo center as a home for the flea market and other public uses, new roads and other infrastructure and the addition of a new soccer stadium, the speedway has received no investment. Though it is a protected facility by our local government’s charter, it has been neglected. At least, not until Mayor John Cooper’s proposal for a partnership with Bristol Motor Speedway.

As plainly as I can put it, this opportunity makes sense for all of Nashville.

I’m a taxpayer first. Born, bred, gonna be dead in Davidson County. I would be against this proposal if it didn’t make taxpayer sense. This plan takes a piece of property that is in dire need of improvement and does it without the taxpayers.

The speedway has been ignored for decades. Currently there is not sufficient water pressure to even service the infield restrooms and concession stands. Past fair boards and mayors have worked to close the track in favor of private development. The deferred investment for improvements totals more than $40 million, which would have to come from Metro’s general fund. The Bristol partnership not only removes that obligation, it actually adds to the general fund.

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The speedway is part of Nashville's endangered history

We are tired of losing our Nashville, piece by piece, to development. Every week you hear about another longtime local restaurant shutting its doors or a beloved structure coming down. Joni Mitchell famously sang about how they’re paving paradise to put up parking lots. All I can say is, not on my watch.

Fairgrounds Speedway is part and parcel of Nashville’s endangered history. It is the second-oldest track in the country – it’s called the Cradle of Stock Car Racing for a reason! I saw Darrell Waltrip, Bobby Hamilton and Sterling Marlin run their first races there, and win their first races there.

Since 1958, local racing has flourished here. The drivers are your neighbors and friends and even your children. Nashville has a strong youth program, with dozens of Bandolero drivers younger than 12.

The Fairgrounds belongs to all of Nashville. It’s accessible, affordable and fully democratic, hosting events throughout its history that appeal to diverse audiences, regardless of socioeconomic class.

We’ve created a spectacular home at the Fairgrounds for soccer lovers and given new life to the flea market. It’s time to do the same for the many racing fans in our community.

If the council does not approve this partnership, there is no feasible path forward. Billionaires will end up with the property and this cherished neighborhood asset will cease to exist.

Our city leaders need to grab this opportunity. Only then can Nashville honestly say it has comprehensively renovated the Fairgrounds and honored the voters’ will.

Norm Partin is a Nashville native, owner of Partin & Associates, and former general manager of the Fairgrounds Speedway from 2005-07.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Fairgrounds: Why investing in the Speedway matters