The
city council last week unveiled plans for a future Formula One race to
be held in Jefferson. It is hoped that the "Jefferson Grand Prix" will
put Jefferson on the map within the closely-knit circles of
international racing. The Formula One circuit currently consists of
roughly eighteen or nineteen venues, and it is assumed that one will
need to be bumped in order to make room for Jefferson. As it now stands,
the only open weekend is the second weekend in June, and city officials
are unwilling to reschedule Bell Tower events merely for a Grand Prix."It looks to me like we could bump the San Marino race," stated one council member. "They are probably a pretty small race." Before Jefferson can even place a bid, however, the proposed grand prix route will need to be constructed throughout Jefferson. The map at left indicates the route as it will end up. Certain structures will have to be destroyed or removed to create the circuit. We have been told that these are minor and will hardly be noticed. They include but are not limited to: Russell Park, the Methodist Church, Lincoln Square, the Greene County Courthouse, the Mahanay Tower, the elementary school, the municipal swimming pool, the Greene County fairgrounds, and the extended care wing of the Greene County Medical Center. Approximately 50 or 60 homes are also on the list.
In order to avoid lengthy appeals and public inquiries, owners of these homes will be given three days to vacate. After that, bulldozers will quickly go to work. This will insure that the track will be ready for a 2012 bid. The hospital will be the first to go, making room for a VIP area. The list of sites affected by this project will be posted at the courthouse, rather than mailed. No date for this posting has been set, however.
The circuit will feature exciting hairpin turns at the Kelso Park shelter house area, as well as near the VIP (formerly hospital) area. A long straight-away down Russell Street will lead to the finish line. Approximately 85 stop signs will either have to be removed or incorporated into the driving.
Rick Bland, 12-07-2010