East Side Land Use: Harnass Racing

A Racino complex is not the best use of land for the approximately 50 acres owned by the city's exhibition association on the east side according to Willard Jenkins, President of the Exhibition Association.

In the Boxing Day issue of the Telegraph Journal Mr. Jenkins is quoted as saying "If the land was privately owned, I think ownership would have a better use for it," and "Our motive is driven by the fact we've been a supporter and operator of harness racing for 50 years and we want to do everything in our power to help the industry survive..."

One would hope that the project that is selected for the site is best for the city as a whole. The horse track could be if it does a number of things: draw in more tourists than additional shopping space in the area could, creates a strong property tax base and includes ample public space.

If the project isn't the best use of the space it might be best for the Exhibition association to continue leasing its land for commercial developments and using that money to building a raceway on land it acquires with that money. If it is the best use of the land, hopefully its necessary approvals are forthcoming.