HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — The Guam Racing Federation is no longer occupying Lot 7161-R1, the Chamorro Land Trust Commission property housing the Guam International Raceway, according to John Burch, the acting CLTC administrative director.
The raceway had been the site of drag racing and other motorsport activities over the past several years.
GRF had been constructing and operating the raceway prior to its eviction this year by the CLTC, which stemmed from concerns with the organization’s tenancy, including issues with clearing and grading activities. Following a brief extension to allow scheduled events to take place, GRF was officially evicted on June 2.
But GRF continued to occupy the raceway property, with the organization’s former president stating GRF would remain until ordered by a court to leave.
With Burch telling The Guam Daily Post on Tuesday that GRF no longer occupied the property, the Post attempted to reach members of GRF’s board, but was not able to make contact by press time Friday.
The raceway now appears completely locked up. The Post observed at different times that the main entrance had been locked after GRF’s eviction, but saw that a side entrance leading to Guam Adventures, a tour company that was the racing federation’s subtenant, was previously open.
The Post observed the main entrance unlocked on Wednesday, but saw it locked Friday. The Post also observed on Friday that the side entrance had been locked. A “no trespassing” sign hung over that lock, with the CLTC’s phone number written on it.
About a month after GRF’s eviction, the CLTC designated Lot 7161-R1 for commercial use, which allowed the commission’s staff to begin developing a procurement plan for that purpose. Burch said the procurement is ongoing. CLTC staff had prepared a draft request for proposals, which is under review, according to Burch.
While CLTC was moving forward with pursuing a commercial lease on the property, GRF wanted to see if it could work out a way to continue using the raceway temporarily.
However, that could not be done legally, according to Burch.
“Unfortunately, the CLTC must ensure that any commercial leases or licenses issued must comply with Title 21, Chapter 75A, §75A122, which is also known as the CLTC Commercial Rules and Regulations,” Burch said.
In addition to CLTC’s general commercial lease and licensing laws, Public Law 34-142 authorizes the CLTC to lease the raceway property for commercial use for up to 50 years.
