The entity HQ Riverfront Enterprises LLC is proposing to create a go-kart racetrack and associated spaces in a 4,125-square-feet portion of the interior of the former D. Bertoline & Sons Beer Distributor facility at 7 John Walsh Boulevard in Peekskill. The racetrack would be on three levels and would be used primarily by electric go-karts although gas-powered go-karts would be used for certain races. There also would be lobby, classroom and storage space along with g-kart simulators. The racetrack would extend outside of the building with the outdoor portion being used as weather permitted A portion of the building that currently is used for storage of luxury automobiles will remain in place.
The racetrack requires a Special Permit from Peekskill’s Common Council as an amusement center in the M-2 zoning district, and site plan approval from the city’s Planning Commission. Currently there are 64 exterior parking spaces on the site. HQ Riverfront proposes adding 22 to 24 new pervious parking spaces in the grassy area on the west side of the building, for a total of 86 to 88 spaces.
Architect Joseph Thompson told the Planning Commission that the majority of races will be with electric go-karts and gas go-karts will be used on occasion for competitive events. The track has been designed by the Italian firm PGK and will be on the SODIKart global circuit. SODIKart is a French manufacturer of go-karts that also is involved in promoting competitive go-kart racing events. Thompson said that programming will range from driver school for young children to adult recreation, to competitive professional events.
Rendering of proposed go-kart track interior.Steve DiPaolo, who owns the property and is principal of HQ Riverfront Enterprises, appeared with Thompson at a meeting of the Planning Commission. DiPaolo bought the property about a year ago.
The go-kart racetrack was described as being suitable for ages five to adult. Instruction would be provided for youngsters ages five to nine and that they must achieve a certain skill level before they would be allowed to drive go-karts out on the track.
A game room and possibly Candlepin Bowling would be added on the interior and an event room and outdoor patio will accommodate small parties. HQ Racing would not be serving any food or alcoholic beverages and that food and drinks would need to be catered or delivered.
“We believe this adaptive reuse proposal will bring an exciting new amusement offering to Peekskill residents while also providing international exposure,” Thompson said.
The developer said a maximum of 75 people are expected to be in the facility at any given time and 25 to 30 employees working on shifts are anticipated. National and international events would be held four to eight times a year on a weekend day, and pro-level events in gas-powered go carts approximately one to two times per month.
“As it’s formatted, (it) would actually be the largest indoor/outdoor go-kart track in the country,” Thompson said. “It’s over a half-mile in length and actually circulates within the building and is proposed to circulate outside of the building. We think it would be a nice complementary use for what is starting to turn into what eventually is an amusement district adjacent to The Factoria (a catering facility) and Spins Hudson (a recreation center).”
Thompson said that the Italian track design company PDK has done eight projects in the U.S. and more than 80 worldwide so far.
“We’ve been working with them closely, hand-in-hand on track design,” Thompson said. “It’s a real high-performance track that allows for a variety of uses by anything from school-age children to professional drivers.”
