NASCAR Hall of Fame pitches Charlotte on $25 million renovation project
The NASCAR Hall of Fame plans to ask for $25 million in public dollars to pay for renovations to the uptown facility.
Hall of Fame officials made their initial pitch to city leaders Monday at the Charlotte City Council’s economic development committee. Renovations would include relocating the facility’s gift shop and cafe, more event space, new security screening equipment and a new dedicated education space for school groups.
It would be the biggest upgrade to the facility since it opened 15 years ago, city leaders said Monday.
The project cost includes $12 to $15 million for construction, according to Monday’s presentation. Remaining money would cover design, permitting, furniture and other expenses. The costs “will be refined as design advances,” according to the presentation.
The money would come from Charlotte’s hospitality fund — revenue from hotel occupancy, rental car and prepared food and beverage taxes. That money can only be spent on certain tourism-related things, including the Hall of Fame. Construction and maintenance at the facility is specifically funded by a 2% hotel occupancy tax.
The City Council has signed off on multiple major projects paid for by the hospitality fund in recent years, including $650 million in renovations to Bank of America Stadium, $275 million for Spectrum Center renovations and a new Charlotte Hornets practice facility, $2 million for renovations to the Carolina Theatre and a portion of the $41.3 million in city money for the Eastland Mall redevelopment.
The Hall of Fame’s latest ask is affordable even if the occupancy tax, currently set to expire in 2039, isn’t extended, city finance staff told council members Monday. Staff said the city hasn’t taken on new debt for the Hall of Fame since it was built in 2009.
The Hall of Fame, which opened in 2010, is owned by the city and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.
Hall of Fame and CRVA leadership told committee members Monday the facility generates $74.9 million in economic impact, including $43.1 million in “direct spending” and $2.4 million in tax revenue in fiscal year 2024.
Committee Chair Malcolm Graham said he’s “optimistic” about the plan presented Monday.
“It’s a facility that has not had any major upgrades since its inception, other than minor modifications to to be more effective and efficient ... now making the time to kind of take a look at it and kick the tires and see what we can do to make sure that we maintain the facility,” said Graham, whose District 2 includes parts of uptown.
Assistant City Manager Alyson Craig told committee members Hall of Fame officials will make a formal request to the city later this summer or in early fall. Graham indicated the economic development committee could vote on the plan as soon as August.
This story was originally published June 2, 2025 at 12:43 PM.
