Woodland Downs? > Rexroad.com

My phone has been ringing non-stop today about this editorial in the Daily Democrat. In fact, it is preventing me from getting my work done.

I have heard from four real estate people, two consultants, a County Fair person (I called one myself), two elected officials (one to kindly tell me to keep my hands off the "Dixon Downs thing"), and a horse person.

In terms of phone traffic, this editorial has had more impact on my day than any in the last five years. I also got two calls (and I made two) from people that like the featured blog today from Doug Paul Davis.

Now I need to get back to work.

Once again, I would like to thank "the best newspaper carrier in the world" from the Daily Democrat. I got my paper before 0800 this morning -- five feet from my front door.

Comments

By The Realist @ Thursday, April 19, 2007 2:16 PM

Bring it to Woodland. I want it. I think most people do....

By Jim @ Friday, April 20, 2007 8:13 AM

Since my computer is temporarily broken, I'd thought about continuing the discussion on "Woodland Meadows." The more I think about it, the more it makes a degree of sense to lobby Magna Entertainment to look at Woodland as a site for its horseracing facility.
Since Matt and other members of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors are traveling to Washington, D.C., next week, they might want to consider a side trip to Canada and visit the Magna officials. Heck, they might even want to see if Congressmen Mike Thompson and Wally Herger could tag along.
The idea has some merit. If we look at putting a horse-racing facility on the south side of Interstate-5 between County Road 102 and 103 the simplicity is apparent. The main entrance could be CR-103 so no visitors would have to come into Woodland if they didn't want to. That means less traffic. Infrastructure would be minimal since water processing facilities would be less than a mile away. A shopping mall will soon be fully under construction. There's less traffic on I-5 than on I-80. Woodland is minutes from the Sacramento Airport, making it easy for visitors (as well as race horses) to make their way to Woodland. Arco Arena and the Sacramento Kings are only 20 minutes away and West Sacramento has the Rivercats.

The existing property as I understand it is low-quality soil. It's in a flood area, but the nature of the horsetrack wouldn't put homes in harm's way.

In terms of demographics. The Sacramento Region is growing faster than the Bay Area, which is already built out, and so offers more future opportunities than putting the facility in Dixon.

I'm sure both city and county officials could agree on this if they put together a task force and made a proposal.
jim smith/editor/daily democrat

By Jim @ Friday, April 20, 2007 8:24 AM

I'm sorry to be such a pest, but let me add one more thing:
The Friday issue of the Sacramento Bee has a story on Page B3 about "Cal Expo eyes shift in racing." The story has a quote from Christopher Korby, executive director ofthe California Association of Racing Fairs, which I found interesting.

"Our paramount interest is that racing continue to succeed in Northern California."

Of course he was talking about horse racing at Cal Expo, but a full-time facility nearby in Yolo County might spark their interest.
jim smith/editor/dd

By perkoff @ Friday, April 20, 2007 2:33 PM

Down with the disgusting, DOWNS! Apparently, Yolo County's destiny is to become the Gambling Mecca of California....I liked Yolo County best when it was known the world over for its abundant and plentiful agricultural production!

By Patriot @ Friday, April 20, 2007 5:18 PM

Maybe we can get them to build Pioneer a FOOTBALL stadium.

By cirenio1 @ Friday, April 20, 2007 5:45 PM

I agree with Jim Smith tha the idea has merits and should be explored. Several years ago, when I was a member of the Woodland Redevelopment Citizens Task Force, the idea of relocating the Fair to Churchil Downs was discussed when some developers were looking for an entertainment venue. No politician in Yolo County nor Woodland took the issue serious and the developers moved to Yuba/Marysville area and built such venue. Lets explore the idea that was brought out by the editorial.

By cirenio1 @ Saturday, April 21, 2007 10:39 AM

I understand that then council member Gary Sandy and other influential members of the community did seriously consider the Churchill Downs proposal. I stand corrected on this issue.

By YoloCalVet @ Sunday, April 22, 2007 7:08 PM

Horse Racing and a Ruth Chris Steak House......Hmmmm

By Charlie in Japan @ Tuesday, April 24, 2007 1:51 AM

I'd like to place 'Perfecta' bet.... 'C' note on Seabiscuit to win and Man O' War to place. LOL

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