Shrinking the Steeplechase

Apparently, the community opposition to the proposed Gambrills horse stadium is making headway. The plan, submitted by the Maryland Stadium Authority has been downsized from 5,000 seats to 2,500. Unfortunately, even the downsized plan retains the original plan's fatal flaws: It's almost 9 acres of impervious "under-roof area", not to mention acres and acres of parking lots; It fundamentally shifts the use of the site from agricultural to tourism, and; It, most likely, is a net income loser (presumably even more so with the reduced size).

The $75,000 study the County Council approved in December, examining the economic and traffic impacts of the stadium, is due out this month.