Excitement buzzed through Lawrence like the roar of a NASCAR engine when the Kansas Speedway opened a year ago, drawing crowds and dollars to Lawrence hotels, restaurants and shops.

But in its second year, which began last weekend with the ARCA/REMAX BPU 200, the speedway development may bring something else to Lawrence competition.

Planned stores near the Kansas Speedway along Interstate 70 in Kansas City, Kan., include a Cabela's outdoor goods store and Nebraska Furniture Mart. When completed in the next year and a half, the retail area around the speedway may lure shoppers from Lawrence.

	racing.lawrence.com

Just north and east of the speedway in Kansas City, Kan., work is well under way on a 400-acre “tourism district,” that will include a Cabela’s store, a Nebraska Furniture Mart, a 280-room resort, an indoor water park and a 600,000-square foot shopping center. Cabela’s, which specializes in hunting and camping gear, is expected to open in August, and the Nebraska Furniture Mart is scheduled to open in spring 2003.

Emotions are mixed over what the development, which is only 20 minutes away, will mean to Lawrence.

“Are we excited about this or not is a good question,” said Judy Billings, director of the Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau. “I think I’m excited but honestly I don’t know yet.

“What’s good for the region should be good for us, and a rising tide should rise all boats, but it definitely will mean more competition for us.”

In particular, Billings is expecting more competition in the lodging market. Bill Crandall, vice president for Zimmer Management, the master developer of the project, said the area is expected to add up to 1,000 new hotel rooms in the area during the next two years.

Lawrence currently has 1,000 hotel rooms, Billings said.

Developers will break ground June 20 on the first major lodging facility at the track. Officials with the Great Wolf Lodge have announced they’ve chosen the tourism district as the site for their newest facility. The “northwoods-themed” log cabin-style resort will have 281 rooms and will feature a 38,000-square-foot indoor water park, two restaurants, a 7,000-square-foot arcade, a gift shop, fitness center, outdoor recreation area and 3,000 square feet of meeting space.

Billings and others in the lodging industry were cautiously optimistic Lawrence would compete well against the new facilities.

“I believe people who have stayed in Lawrence and enjoyed themselves previously, will choose to stay here again,” said Jennifer Larsen, general manager of the Super 8 Motel, 515 McDonald Drive. “Plus you have to think the hotels in the Kansas City area are going to be a little more expensive.”

The development also is expected to create new competition for Lawrence retailers. Both Cabela’s and Nebraska Furniture Mart are projecting to draw customers from a 250-mile radius. The 600,000-square foot shopping center, which will be called The Legends, also will be counting on Lawrence customers.

“Lawrence is definitely included in our trade area,” said Bill Schultz with Red Development, the center’s development group. “It will be closer to Lawrence than either Oak Park Mall (in Overland Park) or Westridge Mall (in Topeka).”

Schultz said the company isn’t yet releasing the names of any tenants for the shopping center, but said it would include a mix of department stores and specialty retailers, along with a 15-screen Warren Theatre complex. The center is expected to open in the fall of 2003, he said.

Overall, the 400-acre development surrounding the track is expected to attract 7 million to 9 million shoppers a year and generate $440 million in annual sales, according to the Zimmer Management Web site.

At Ed Marlings Home Furnishings, 2108 W. 27th St., general manager Jennifer Karmazin said Lawrence businesses should be able to compete with the new retail area as long as they take the right approach.

“I’m sure it will impact some more than others,” Karmazin said. “I think the Lawrence businesses will just have to really focus on providing the excellent service because that’s the biggest reason for people to shop locally.”

Kansas Speedway’s season continues with major races scheduled for July 6-7 and September 28-29. Lodging officials said both events are expected to produce sellouts for Lawrence hotels.