MONTICELLO, N.Y. (February 15, 2012) – Monticello Motor Club (MMC) has proposed a $41+ million revised master development plan to provide an enhanced experience for club members and allow for greater functionality and flexibility in the use of the facility, while significantly increasing the club’s positive economic impact on Sullivan County.
MMC represents the largest CapEx project in Monticello to date, with an initial investment of $41MM. The club has created 66 full time equivalent jobs to date, with an additional 60 expected over the next 10 years as a result of the project. MMC paid over $188,000 in 2012 property, school and income taxes. The Town of Thompson assessment on the property has increased from $600,000 in 2008 to more than $3MM and is expected to double as a result of the proposed improvements generating even greater tax revenues
MMC will remain a private automotive country club which also offers corporate, manufacturer, charitable and other private driving events. The careful design of the site will ensure that current and future needs of the Club membership will be accommodated, without creating any significant off-site impacts.
“Under the plan, MMC will seek to host a few racing events each season, including up to four professional events such as American Le Mans and IndyCar, which can attract up to 5,000 spectators on a typical race day,” explained MMC President, Ari Straus. “Similar to Augusta, a private club that hosts the Masters Tournament among other famous golf tournaments, these prestigious events will promote regional tourism and help to build MMC’s notoriety and drive membership.”
The proposed Revised Master Plan consists of three phases, as well as proposed improvements to the expansion of on-site water and sewer capacity.
- Phase 1:
- A course for the use of off-road vehicles, such as Jeeps or SUV’s, which will be primarily used as a low-speed route over difficult and steep terrain (e.g., Jeep Jamboree.)
- A corporate office and a turf parking lot, for overflow parking as needed for larger events.
- A new pit area and adjacent paddock area. The new pit area will comply with racing regulations, allowing the track to host a few official race events annually. The paddock will have direct access to Cantrell Rd. via a new gatehouse and provide a staging area for support vehicles participating in a race or event.
- A new karting track, including a garage and support building, will replace existing karting and provide a safer, improved experience for children of club members.
- New garages to meet membership demand for vehicle storage space. They will feature rooftop grandstands to provide enhanced viewing for race events.
- A garage building with second story flex-space for offices, instruction or meetings, and a small third story timing and scoring tower.
- Spectator access improvements including four new pedestrian crossing bridges and one trolley crossing bridge over the track.
- The first of 11 autominium buildings, each containing six 1-bedroom units with garage space, to provide overnight accommodations for members.
- Phase 2:
- A support building at the new paddock area with bathroom facilities, meeting rooms and office space for support teams
- A medical center and member clubhouse.
- 10 remaining autominium buildings.
- A pool and cabana building.
- Phase 3 consists of the construction of a tunnel under Cantrell Rd, allowing onsite traffic, particularly off-road vehicles, access to the full site without utilizing public roadways.
MMC has an important economic impact on local business, spending more than $1.7MM with Sullivan County vendors to date (excluding construction costs). This project is expected to result in additional spending and create opportunity for the development of collateral businesses, as well as increased tourism. In 2012, MMC attracted over 10,000 unique visitors with considerable disposable incomes from outside the county, spending an average of $78.62 per person per day at local businesses; that is expected to grow to up to 22,000 unique visitors per year under the revised plan
MMC has also stimulated the local real estate market, driving property tax revenues without impacting local schools. Purchase and rental of homes by members and employees has exceeded $12MM. The sale of additional second homes in the immediate area is anticipated to generate $2-$3MM in real estate purchases annually for the next decade.
.About Monticello Motor Club:
The Monticello Motor Club, located just 90 minutes from Manhattan, is North America’s premier automotive resort & private racetrack dedicated to automotive enthusiasts. The club features a 4.1-mile road course, 22 turns, 12 different configurations and 450 feet of elevation changes, in addition to a state-of-the-art clubhouse, private garages, and a service center. For more information, visit www.monticellomotorclub.com.
