MEDIA-This Week 8-13-08

A group opposed to the construction of a racetrack at Cooper Stadium is working to find funding for a noise study.

At the end of July, Redevelop Our Area Responsibly (ROAR), made up of groups and residents near the stadium, met with representatives of the Arshot Investment Corporation and developer Bill Schottenstein to discus concerns about the proposed raceway.

Among ROAR's concerns were noise impact and the need for a family-oriented facility in the area, among others.

ROAR member Regina Tobin, a German Village resident and realtor, said the meeting was amiable, but that Schottenstein's group believed a track wouldn't cause significant noise in the surrounding area.

"From what I gathered Bill Schottenstein feels that the freeway will negate a lot of the sound," Tobin said.

According to a press release issued by ROAR, a proposed raceway is in the preliminary stages and Arshot is not ready to discuss details. Nonetheless, the company made it clear they are committed to moving forward.

Among other things, the release stated Arshot planned a noise study and hiring a public relations firm to build support for the project.

Tobin said the next step is for her group would be to conduct an independent noise study.

"There are enough property owners that are upset enough that we might be able to pass the hat and have people donate for this," Tobin said. "There's definitely a lot of interest."

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