USBHOF | VMB - Lehigh Valley, PA Mountain Bike Club

thought this would be interesting
-----------
County offers land for biking hall of fame

Near velodrome: Lehigh officials say it's the perfect spot.

''Lehigh County is known as a national center for bicycling,'' said County Executive Don Cunningham. ''This is the perfect place for a Bicycling Hall of Fame. The county velodrome is a long-standing, beloved destination for world-class athletes, nationwide enthusiasts, and our own local cycling fanatics.''

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a1_5bike.6475097jun25,0,4987551.story

FULL TEXT

Hoping to stage a breakaway in the race to lure the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame, officials on Tuesday offered to donate 12 acres of Lehigh County-owned land as the future site for the homeless hall.

The land is next to the Valley Preferred Cycling Center in Breinigsville -- known to locals as the velodrome -- and if all goes well it would be the site of a 22,000-square-foot center that would house the hall of fame and its museum of cycling memorabilia.

The land would be offered to the hall for $1 per year and the county would aid in fundraising to foot the anticipated $6.6 million construction cost. By getting out of the gate with their proposal early, officials hope to make an impression on the hall.

Now stored in a warehouse, the hall of fame collection was for several years in Somerville, N.J., but was forced out of its storefront home because of redevelopment.

The hall has been seeking a new home and Lehigh County is among many interested areas. Others include Davis, Calif., and Greenville, S.C.

But Dean Smith, president of the International Cycling Center, a group of cycling enthusiasts based in Pennsylvania and working to gain recognition for the sport, said the Lehigh Valley is best suited for the hall.

''Our goal is to establish something that is to cycling what Cooperstown is to baseball,'' he said. ''This is the perfect location for it.''

The velodrome is home to world-class races and often hosts Olympic and world champions at its weekly races. Even the track's administration is filled with star power. President Erin Hartwell has won Olympic silver and bronze medals; Vice President Marty Nothstein holds a gold and a silver.

''There is more bicycling history on the grounds here than anywhere in America,'' said Nothstein, who grew up racing at the velodrome. ''I find it hard to believe that any other venue has the accolades that we do and that has just gotten stronger with the county's support.''

The proposed facility would include a museum and exhibition hall, library, cafe and gift shop.

Smith and Cunningham said they hope to raise the $6.6 million needed through corporate sponsorships and individual donations.

Whether the land donation will put the the velodrome at the top of the list of potential suitors remains to be seen. The county has not completed the request for proposals sent out by the hall this year, and hall officials were non-committal on the county's chances.

''They are being very pro-active and that's good to hear,'' said Hall of Fame President Rusty Schommer. ''We are glad to hear they are excited and it gets us excited. The response that all of this has generated from the Lehigh Valley is good news for us.''

The county commissioners will need to vote on Cunningham's proposal to lease the land for $1 a year. The vote is scheduled for today.

''I think this is a fantastic idea,'' said county Commissioner Chairman Percy Dougherty. ''We are already one of the international centers in terms of velodrome racing, and with the Commerce Bank Race we had here earlier this month, the velodrome and the hall of fame, there is no place in the world that would have all that we have here.''

Smith said it could be 18 months before the hall names its new home and the designation of the land is just ''one of about 8,000 steps we have to take.''

darryl.isherwood@mcall.com

610-820-6533

[WFMZ: Two-minute segment with Don visible but not speaking]

Lehigh Valley Vying to Become Home to Cycling Hall of Fame

WFMZ-TV Online, PA - 16 hours ago

Lehigh County is making its pitch to be home to the US Bicycling Hall of Fame. But, the race has just started...and the Valley has some stiff competition

http://wfmz.com/view/?id=287475

[Phila. Examiner.com offers AP story]

Lehigh Co. offers land for Bicycling Hall of Fame

Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham is offering 12 acres of county-owned land to lure the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame. ...

www.examiner.com/a-1456897~Lehigh_Co__offers_land_for_Bicycling_Hall_of_...

Erie Times-News: Bike hall of fame could get new home

BREINIGSVILLE -- Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham is offering 12 acres of county-owned land to lure the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame.

http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080625/NEWS06/8062503...

RNN TV (NY, NJ, Conn): Lehigh Co. offers land for Bicycling Hall of Fame

BREINIGSVILLE, Pa. (AP) - Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham is offering 12 acres of county-owned land to lure the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame

http://www.rnntv.com/global/story.asp?s=8549266

Bucks County Courier Times: Lehigh Co. offers land for Bicycling Hall of Fame

BREINIGSVILLE, Pa. (AP) - Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham is offering 12 acres of county-owned land to lure the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame.

http://blogs.phillyburbs.com/news/bcct/lehigh-co-offers-land-for-bicycli...

County offers Breinigsville land for Bicycling Hall of Fame

Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham announced a plan to donate 12 acres of county-owned land as a hook to lure the US Bicycling ...

http://thetopbicycle.info/bicycle-news/county-offers-breinigsville-land-...