Michigan’s Last Racetrack Sold To Housing Development Company

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The transition from one to zero happened quickly.

Hazel Park Raceway abruptly closed its racetrack in Southeastern Michigan earlier this month, providing very little notice. The announcement was made merely 30 days before the scheduled opening day, causing employees and horsemen to desperately seek alternative arrangements.

The only track left, Northville Downs, has recently revealed intentions to transform their premises into an upscale residential development.

Two years left to get your race on

Northville Downs intends to continue its operations at its current location for the entirety of the 2020 racing season. Subsequently, it will temporarily suspend its activities to make way for the construction of 500-600 new high-end residences.

Northville Downs, the harness-racing track along with its neighboring property, is set to be acquired by Hunter Pasteur Homes for a sum of $10.25 million. The company has unveiled their intentions to develop a mix of commercial and residential space spanning across 48 acres near Sheldon Road and Hines Drive.

Randy Wertheimer, president and CEO of Hunter Pasteur, stated that the project is currently in its early stages. They are excited to collaborate further with the city of Northville and their partners to address the numerous intricate aspects associated with a project of this magnitude. The company anticipates obtaining all necessary authorizations by 2019. As additional information becomes accessible, they will ensure to communicate it with the community.

Northville Downs reportedly looking for a new home

Mike Carlo, Northville Downs’ operations manager, has confirmed that track operations will persist even after the sale. Ideally, the new location will be in close proximity to Northville.

Northville Downs has announced that live harness racing and simulcast wagering will remain at our current location until 2020. Additionally, we are actively considering various other sites to create a top-notch, modern racing and gaming facility that will make Michigan proud. We are committed to collaborating with state and local officials to adopt the required modifications, similar to those implemented in neighboring states, in order to restore racing to its former glory.

Carlo’s plan following the closure of Hazel Park involved expanding his current staff of 69 by hiring an additional 30 employees. Furthermore, he had secured an agreement to acquire about $50,000 worth of assets from Hazel Park.

Supporting the relocation involves undertaking several actions, with the construction of a new track being the most probable scenario for the Northville Downs move.

Gaming laws and the future of Northville Downs

Carlo has been advocating for the modification of Michigan gaming laws to permit expanded wagering options, including the introduction of slot machines at racetracks.

He has publicly expressed that for the horse racing industry in Michigan to thrive, it is crucial to adopt operational strategies similar to those employed on tracks in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.

“Back in the day, gambling was limited to the race track,” he remarked. “But nowadays, you have countless options to place your bets.” Carlo’s definition of “anywhere” encompasses brick-and-mortar casinos, fantasy sports platforms, and even the realm of online lotteries.

Given Carlo’s position, it raises questions regarding the possible opening of a new track. Furthermore, if there is a requirement to construct a new track, it is likely that there will be even more inquiries.

Located just southwest of the Detroit airport, the most recent horse track construction took place in 2008. Known as Pinnacle Race Course, this establishment operated for a span of three years. However, the track was never fully completed as it ultimately succumbed to closure due to the diminishing horse racing market.

Carlo remains committed to his plan, which involves the sale and relocation. “The sale was a long-standing plan that we had been working on for a few years, and it was finally confirmed in January,” he explained. “They are currently conducting thorough research on the site.”

For the past three years, Northville Downs has consistently maintained profitability. Despite the closure of Hazel Park, it is highly probable that Northville Downs will continue to thrive and remain financially stable in the upcoming years.

The profitability of the upcoming three racing seasons will play a crucial role in determining the feasibility of a relocation and the sustainability of horse racing in Michigan.

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