The town of Speedway will pay a bit more than it originally offered to acquire Clear Channel Outdoor Inc.’s interest
in a parcel of land the town needs to build a roundabout near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Speedway’s redevelopment commission sued San Antonio-based Clear Channel in February after the
company rejected its original offer of $165,000. On April, 24, a Marion Superior Court judge ordered the commission to pay
Clear Channel $189,000, based on three appraisers’ estimates.
“It’s much less than what they had requested in their counteroffer,” said Scott Harris, executive director
of the commission, who declined to divulge the exact amount of Clear Channel’s offer.
A Clear Channel representative couldn’t be reached for comment.
As part of its 16th Street reconstruction project, Speedway wants to build a roundabout where the street intersects with
Georgetown and Crawfordsville roads near the main entrance of the track.
Speedway already has purchased the quarter-acre sliver on which the billboard stands at 16th and Main streets from former
owner Carl Culmann. But the town needed to acquire Clear Channel’s “leasehold interest” in the parcel and
remove the billboard to begin work on the roundabout, according to the lawsuit.
The billboard is behind a vacant house on the parcel of property. Harris said the town plans to tear down the home to build
the roundabout. Other road improvements near the intersection include new curbs, gutters and sidewalks, as well as road widenings.
The 16th Street reconstruction project is part of an overall $500 million redevelopment project town leaders hope will transform
Speedway into a year-round racing-themed destination.
Speedway officials broke ground in November 2009 on the first phase, which involved $6.7 million in
road improvements to Main Street, laying the foundation for redevelopment.
The ambitious project includes more than 350 acres from Main Street to Holt Road and from 16th to 10th streets, just south
of IMS.
In all, 2.5 million square feet of new development could be constructed, which could return a 10-year economic impact of
up to $5.2 billion and more than 2,000 jobs, Speedway officials say.
Harris of the commission said the dispute with Clear Channel shouldn’t delay the building of the roundabout because
an exact timetable has not been set.

















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That is the system we have had from the beginning in the U.S.
Look around, the highway system, many public streets, sidewalks, parks, etc. Much of it has been constructed through eminent domain.
That is how it works.
The original intent of the US Constitution's framers is really clear on this point. Under the Fifth Amendment, the government can take private property for government purposes, such as public roads and sidewalks. The government must do so by "due process" and pay a fair price. In Indiana, this includes multiple appraisals and a right of judicial appeal by the unwilling seller.
Amazing the things you can learn by reading.
should pay the price or there should be
free negotiations. Why should we allow the courts to dictate what we should sell something for?