CHANGE MY LOCATION
Business
Examiners
Business Examiner
Most Recent Post
Market losses so far this year? Try $8.3 trillion
Internet Business Examiner
Most Recent Post
Digression: YouTube video isn't a commercial but could be
California News
Multimedia News
Preakness boosts Pimlico-area neighborhoods
SEE THE LATEST ON THIS STORY
Related Topics: BALTIMORE
)
Pimlico Race Course is across Northern Parkway from a residential neighborhood that will be overrun with Preakness attendees on Saturday.
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Preakness is a significant economic driver for the state’s horse racing industry, which counts on a big weekend to fund its operation. But the event is equally important to neighborhoods surrounding the track, local leaders said, even if area businesses don’t see a direct impact on the big day.
Under state legislation, a portion of the proceeds generated by Pimlico Race Course is returned to the neighboring communities to be used for local projects and support.
“[Preakness is] a source of the funds, so even though money’s not spent in the barbershop or the local package store, it’s coming back to the community ... for general issues we need money for,” said Councilwoman Rochelle “Rikki” Spector, who represents the Northwest Baltimore neighborhoods around the track. “It’s crucial to the area.”
Last year’s Preakness and the week of events leading up to it resulted in $23.8 million in direct and indirect expenditures and $1.4 million in state and local taxes, according to a study conducted by the state Department of Business and Economic Development.
Race-day expenditures statewide totaled $7.5 million. Visitors to Preakness and the Preakness Celebration, the nine days of events leading up to the race, spent an estimated $5 million, according to the study.
Spector said the funds are used to support community capital projects and maintenance.
The funds are dispensed to the Pimlico Community Development Authority, a panel composed of community leaders and chaired by city Department of Planning Director Douglas McCoach. Spector said the annual amount has declined in recent years as racing revenues have slid but is still in the “hundreds of thousands” of dollars. Exact figures were not immediately available from the city’s planning or budget departments Thursday.
While those funds provide a boost to the neighborhoods around the track, Preakness won’t necessarily bring a flood of money directly through the doors of local businesses Saturday.
“These people that come to the Preakness aren’t in the neighborhood at all,” said Larry Shugarman, president of the Pimlico Community Council. “They’re more interested in getting into the race track and enjoying themselves inside, not outside. There’s parking, lemonade stands that people set up around the racetrack, they make some money, but that’s not the businesspeople.”
acahall@baltimoreexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
6:11 PM MST on Mon., May. 19, 2008 re: "Toilet options abound at track"
Report as inappropriate
10:54 AM MST on Thu., May. 15, 2008
re: "It’s a one-track mind for this horse lover"
Report as inappropriate
10:18 AM MST on Wed., May. 7, 2008
re: "Will Preakness move? Analyst says ‘neigh’"
Report as inappropriate
8:30 PM MST on Fri., Oct. 19, 2007
re: "Will Preakness move? Analyst says ‘neigh’"
Report as inappropriate
10:07 PM MST on Wed., Jun. 13, 2007
re: "Will Preakness move? Analyst says ‘neigh’"
Report as inappropriate
1:27 PM MST on Mon., May. 21, 2007
re: "Will Preakness move? Analyst says ‘neigh’"
Report as inappropriate
12:16 PM MST on Sat., May. 19, 2007
re: "Will Preakness move? Analyst says ‘neigh’"
Report as inappropriate
Danny Burns said:
I was at Pimlico this past weekend and the bathrooms were absolutely filthy. I was lucky enough to of had the opportunity to use the Insta-Wiz and it was magical. It provided full privacy and was much more sanitary than anything else out there. Thanks again Vin for coming up with the idea...you are truly a genius!!
1 agree | 1 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Rafael Alvarez fan said:
if the preakness leaves Baltimore, it's not the preakness now, is it?
2 agree | 2 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
AMERICA CALLING said:
if i could move it i would maryland as it is today doesnt deserve it who wants to come to crime city to see a race of this type maryland voters have no class they elect jerks they cry about it then elect them again wake up people
2 agree | 2 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Move it. Baltimore and Maryland do not want this race. They prove it day-in and day-out. Besides, who wants to visit a tree-lined slum and attend a horse race? Shut down Pimlico and make it public housing. More votes for the demoncrats that way.
157 agree | 151 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Yes for Maryland slots. West Virginia sucks money from Virginia and Maryland. I hate to see Preakness move . It is good for jobs . Maryland deserves to have nice horse race facility with all bells and whistles like everybody else.
195 agree | 214 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Move Preakness Advocate said:
I have been going to Belmont for the last 7 years and have now been to the Preakness twice. Once in the infield and this last time in the GrandConcourseReserve. Aside from enjoying a few races and beers, I don’t think Pimlico is worthy of hosting the second leg of the Triple Crown. It's completely unsafe, both outside the stadium and inside the infield. The overpriced tickets are one thing, but the $70 to park is outright obnoxious! Not to mention it opens up the flood gates for some of the seediest characters looking to make a quick buck by turning their front lawn (or the abandoned lot next it) into a parking lot. I also think everything is priced so high just to keep some of these same people out of the Preakness. It would be one thing if the price of admission reflected condition of the stands and betting booths, but it just doesn’t- Pimlico is in dire need of a make over. Unfortunately, so is most of Baltimore because I've never seen so many boarded up houses in my life.
220 agree | 232 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
BC said:
I can tell you unequivically, that if the Preakness were to move, the cause would be solely the responsibility of the track owners. They will do anything to get slots, including making threats to move the race.
256 agree | 219 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree