NCM Statement on the on-going mess at the Museum Track

[catbert]

Wednesday night, 9/9/15, the Code Enforcement Board held a hearing on the National Corvette Museum’s (NCM) appeal of the citation issued by the Planning Commission (PC). The decision of the Code Enforcement Board (CEB) was to uphold the citation regarding the opening of the Motorsports Park without a certificate of occupancy.
The Planning Commission Director then submitted his recommendation of what should be required of the NCM to address the issues in the citation. The CEB approved some of the PC recommendations. At this time the Museum has not received a copy of the specific action that was approved.
However, the main action taken was that the NCM is to cease construction immediately and cease future events after the Holley LS Fest this weekend until the issues are resolved to the satisfaction of the Planning Commission.
After discussion with our attorney, there is also some question as to whether the CEB has the authority to require us to cease operations. At this time, we plan to appeal the CEB decision to District Court. This will allow us to continue construction, continue with our scheduled events and continue working with all parties to resolve the issues. We are not trying to be defiant, but canceling events causes harm to our customers, their registrants and our reputation as a venue for recreational motorsports, tourism and educational events.
Appealing the ruling will also allow us to continue the sound study that was requested by the Planning Commission and approved by the Clark Circle residents. The agreed on timeline for that included data collection through this weekend’s event. The sound company will then analyze the data collected, finalize modeling and move toward specific options that could be implemented to effectively reduce the noise levels.
The noise continues to be a major emphasis for the NCM and NCM MSP. We are committed to resolving this.
The noise abatement berm being built at the Clark Circle property line will reduce the level of noise to some extent and will serve as a visual barrier. We, along with the sound engineers, have maintained that this is not the most effective sound mitigation. However, this was all being done at the direction of and a mandate from the Planning Commission. Construction is not something that can be started and stopped immediately. The construction is within two weeks of substantial completion. From talking with our contractor today, there are other issues that should be factored into any decision to stop construction (soil erosion, ponds, mosquitoes, weather, etc.). It is our position that it only makes sense to continue the construction of the noise abatement berm.
We have approximately 15 events scheduled for the remainder of the year. We have contracts in place that we intend to honor. Most of those contracts involve other contracts that are also in place (hotel rooms, emergency services, corner workers, etc.). A few of the events scheduled over the next few weeks include an automotive magazine photoshoot, a Chamber business event, Kentucky tourism industry event, a teen driver training school, educational driving schools, and a veteran’s recognition event. Many of the events at the Motorsports Park do not generate a lot of noise. Forcing the cancellation of these events would have a negative economic impact on our community.
We will continue to work toward a solution as we strive to be a good neighbor.

 

[vett boy]

I say move the plant and museum to Mexico.

 

[Hib Halverson]

Well now....planning comm. cites them. NCM appeals. Appeal denied.

That's a fine mess they're in and it seems to have been, at least in part, self-inflicted.
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It the facts end-up showing that the Museum began race track operations before it could legally do so, those who made that decision should be held accountable.

 

[catbert]

Well now....planning comm. cites them. NCM appeals. Appeal denied.

That's a fine mess they're in and it seems to have been, at least in part, self-inflicted.
ad
It the facts end-up showing that the Museum began race track operations before it could legally do so, those who made that decision should be held accountable.

Yeh, Like that'll happen.

 

[Hib Halverson]

Yeh, Like that'll happen.

Now, Catbert, the authority on "human resources" you are reputed to be...

...how can you imply that the Museum decision making team would not be accountable in instances where a mistake has been made?

 

[vett boy]

I deal with building inspectors ,planning boards and,fire marshals every day .It's amazing that any business would want to expand or build in the United States .We are working on building a manufacturing facility for environmental dampers and it's been two years and we still do not have a building permit .We are building a private gymnasium and the owner he refuses to obtain any permits and the job is going well .
Most of the people who sit on planning boards have no concept .
This whole country needs a re-alignment

 

[catbert]

You can rage or complain about regulations on anything, including buildings, BUT since when, in the last 75 years, does any organization begin using a facility that will be occupied in any manner before obtaining a C of O? Why would any organization even want to? By granting the certificate, the local authorities assume a not insubstantial liability for design and construction execution. The greatest question, in my mind, is why the NCM liability insurance provider didn't catch and stop the oversight. When I ran a building expansion project many years ago, the insurance company didn't issue a blanket policy until the C of O was signed, sealed and delivered TO THEM.

I know nothing was done on the sly, and I hope the NCM staff can get their arms around this quickly. There is a ton of money sitting idle right now, and a little teensie bit was mine..