13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |Speedway to get makeover

Speedway to get makeover

Rich Van Wyk/Eyewitness News

Speedway - A community accustomed to cars tearing up the track has backhoes tearing up its main street. A huge and somewhat controversial redevelopment project is now underway in the town of Speedway.

The grand spectacle of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway hasn't shone on the town of Speedway.

Its main street, appearing neglected and ignored, is getting a near $7 million make over.

With construction equipment tearing up the street outside Charlie Brown's restaurant, owner Liz Glover looked past all the dirt and inconvenience.

"I can picture visitors coming to Main Street and coming to a destination point not just a place where there is nothing to do," she told a crowd gathered for the official groundbreaking.

Colorful plans show trees, wide sidewalks, cafes, retail shops and bike paths, all aimed at attracting people and their money to Main Street, Speedway.

"We want to maintain and grow our standard of living in Speedway," explained Vince Noblet, president of the Speedway Redevelopment Commission.

It is the first part of a half-billon-dollar redevelopment project. It includes extending Speedway's main street to the entrance of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and making hundreds of acres of land bordering the track more attractive and fan friendly.

The plan includes moving 16th Street to the south, closing Georgetown Road, and replacing traffic-stopping intersections with roundabouts.

Businesses and residents would be forced to relocate. That worries some folks in this small town - even those safely out the way.

Connie and Bill Norton own an antique mall on Main Street. 

"We do object to anyone being pushed out," said Connie.

"They are our friends and neighbors," said Bill.

Planners and supporters of the development are are confident they can win over their opponents. Noblet said, "Once property owners see it is a reality, this can happen they will come on board with us."

In a community where speed is everything, change will come slowly. It will take years to make Main Street Speedway main attraction along side the Motor Speedway.

Rebuilding the street is a two-year project. Planners say it will be completed in phases so it can be temporarily reopened to accommodate race fans.