Economic Developers balk at ‘Castle Speedway’ plan for Knights’ Stadium
York County economic developers say a private company’s plan to build a speedway on what is soon to be the vacant Charlotte Knights stadium is overly presumptuous and likely will not happen.
The group known as Castle Speedway is pushing for a short track on the 24-year-old stadium property.
York County Economic Development Director Mark Farris says there are already plans underway for the stadium after the Knights’ final game this fall.
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The Cato Corporation is a Charlotte-based women’s fashion retailer with 1,300 stores in 31 states.
A representative from Castle Speedway did not return a request for comment on this story.
Farris says while future of Knights’ stadium is up to York County Council, York County has no interest in leasing the facility for a use like a motor speedway.
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Cato has already purchased 260 acres of land surrounding the stadium — with Knights’ Castle the doughnut hole in the property.
Right now, Farris says he has a group working on identifying other purposes for the property.
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Farris says Cato’s $400 million development would not only include Class A office space, but a mix of commercial, retail and multi-family housing.
