Staten Island politicians are appealing to the state’s development chief not to condemn property so that a controversial 82,500-seat NASCAR raceway can be built – fearing the developer wants to circumvent the city’s public-review process.
The borough’s three City Council members – James Oddo, Andrew Lanza and Michael McMahon – oppose the racetrack plan near the Goethals Bridge, particularly over the possible traffic problems it could create.
A spokesman for Empire State Development Corp. chairman Charles Gargano confirmed yesterday that International Speedway Corp. has had discussions with the state authority about the plan, but “has never asked it to act in an official capacity.”
He also said ISC is “well aware ESDC would take no action” on the raceway, if ever asked, “without input from local officials, including the council.”