Hall of fame on time and on budget
An 1,100-foot stainless steel ribbon is being installed around the building, making the hall of fame identifiable.
CHARLOTTE -- The NASCAR Hall of Fame is starting to take shape in Charlotte's skyline. The project broke ground nearly two years ago and is set to open by the spring of 2010.
In the next phase of construction, an 1,100-foot stainless steel ribbon is being installed around the building. It's what contractors say will make the NASCAR Hall of Fame identifiable.
"It's going to be the icon of this project and probably part of NASCAR's as well," said Tony Birchler, of Zahner.
The ribbon resembles a superspeedway, and at more than a third of a mile in length, it’s not much smaller than tracks at Bristol or Martinsville. Lights will chase each other around the outside it as if it were a race.
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"The geometry is just very different,” explained project director Tom Barnett. “It's anything but a square, rectangular building, but in these days of computers and 3D modeling, it's really come together well."
The overall construction of the building is on time, with a spring 2010 opening date, and on budget, at $195 million.
"We're really happy with the way the project is going and it will be delivered when it's been promised,” said city of Charlotte spokesperson Michelle Gutt.
The city of Charlotte owns the hall of fame. It will be run by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.