Carlisle swap meet leaving town?

[oldandkrusty]

Just got this from a friend. Anybody know anythong about this?

John

Carlisle moving out of Carlisle ?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Looks like the military gave them an out to leave the fairgrounds and make more money at a new site.

From a local paper.


Quote:
A tentative deal is in place to sell Carlisle Fairgrounds and move Carlisle Productions to an undisclosed location near the border of Cumberland and York counties.

Company officials say they will sign off on the deal if North Middleton Township approves a $6 million “Readiness Center” proposed by the adjacent Pennsylvania Army National Guard unit on Cavalry Road.

Carlisle Productions CEO John Detrick says the expansion along the east border of the fairgrounds will create too many problems to continue to hold car shows there.

“We have a buyer for the 82-acre fairgrounds,” Detrick says. “I cannot say who they are. But we are looking very seriously at leaving Carlisle.”

Detrick says he toured a potential new site for Carlisle Productions Saturday and is taking members of his management team for a second look at the property today.

He declined to reveal the location of the site, other than to say it is “near the border of Cumberland and York counties.”

Meanwhile, Carlisle Productions has taken the first step towards leaving — listing its Carlisle Expo Center with Landmark Realty for $3.5 million. The company purchased the former Piezo Crystal plant property at North West and K streets in 2002. Included are a six-acre site, 30,000-square-foot building and more than 300 parking spaces.



Carlisle Productions plans to fight the Army National Guard plans “until the end,” Detrick says. The buyer for the fairgrounds has agreed to wait until that fight is resolved, he adds. Detrick declined to reveal any details about the proposed buyer.

Guard expansion

North Middleton supervisors held one public hearing on the Pennsylvania Army National Guard unit’s conditional use application for a 38,749-square-foot readiness center to be built on the armory’s 45 acres. The project also is to include a 13,000-square-foot maintenance center to replace a garage on the site.

Supervisor Chairman Robert Shearer says Detrick was the only neighbor to speak in opposition of the proposal. In late May the Army National Guard requested that the public hearing be continued.

“I have no idea when they’ll be back for that,” says Shearer, who declined comment on Carlisle Productions. “The ball’s in (the Army National Guard’s) court.”

Preliminary sketch plans for the readiness center include a general administration area, assembly hall, classrooms, a kitchen, restrooms, shower facilities, lockers, a physical fitness area and a family support room for spouses and children of deployed battalion members. The two older buildings may be leased to the Gobin Guard Association to turn into a museum.

What has Carlisle Productions ready to pack up and leave is the unit’s transformation into a Stryker brigade.

The armored combat Stryker, the Army’s newest troop transport vehicle, moves quickly and quietly on wheels rather than tracks.

“Stryker is so much more than the vehicle,” Capt. Cory Angell of the Guard’s public affairs office at Fort Indiantown Gap, told The Sentinel in April. “The key to the Stryker is communication. It’s a new way to fight.”

The vehicle features new cannons, digitized and automated equipment, a tactical intranet to communicate on the battlefield and artillery computers.

Pennsylvania is the only state whose National Guard has been commissioned to house a Stryker brigade, officials have said. The five other Stryker brigades in the country are part of the active Army.

Since the transformation is still under way at Carlisle Armory, officials say the unit has not been deployed to fight yet — but its members are being prepared for that.

And Detrick is worried about the ramifications.

The Army National Guard locked down the area once, following 9/11, and allowed no traffic in and out of Cavalry Road, Detrick says. That incident was classified as a “non-specific threat,” he notes.

If the expansion plans are allowed and the Stryker Brigade installed, Detrick says the Army National Guard is likely to heighten its sensitivity to security threats. If a lockdown were to take place during a car show, it would be a disaster for Carlisle Productions, he says, which relies on the land for much-needed parking.

Bill Miller and the late Chip Miller (no relation) held their first car show at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in September 1974.

Long legacy

Today Carlisle Productions conducts 11 shows annually at three locations, employs 275 — 25 full-time employees and the rest are seasonal help — and is regarded as one of the top car-show locations in the nation. The events bring in $97 million annually to the local economy, company officials said last year.

Chip Miller died in March 2004 and his widow, Judy Miller, took over as a full partner.

Detrick acknowledged that Carlisle Productions would greatly benefit by moving. The company would gain much more control of parking and concessions and likely find a site with better access routes.

“We would own 100 percent of the parking,” he says. “There’s a million dollars’ worth of business done outside these gates.”

The expo center was put on the market last week. In a story The Sentinel published last month, Detrick conceded the center was not performing as well as hoped. On Monday, he said the center’s performance “has not played any role” in the decision to sell the building.

Carlisle Productions merely wants to liquidate its assets in the event it decides to move quickly, he explains.

Still, Detrick insists Carlisle Productions does not want to leave. And he says the company is not looking for an excuse to leave.

“We don’t need a reason to leave; we’d just leave,” he says. “We’re going to fight this development until the end. Hopefully the outcome will result in us staying right where we are."


Link:http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/...news/news20.txt

[Deuce Roadster]

It would be sad, for the charity groups who raise funds doing things for the events, but I for one hope they do move. It had out grown that fairgrounds many years ago and the traffic control is terrible.

It was rumored years ago that the Millers wanted to move it and had bought two farms near Gettysburg. They were going to have a KOA style campground and a swap meet all in one with lots of parking.

With a clean slate to start from, the event could grow and be much better IMHO

[fatabone]

I heard they have been checking with the local area race tracks. I just don't see it working at the tracks because they run every weekend starting in Febuary through October.

[The37Kid]

Last time I was there was 1978. I do remember that a rust free '32 3Window body had an asking price of $6,000. Carlisle just never did equal Hershey IMO.

[Nappy]

I know I've parked next door at the Armory before when I've gone to Carlisle shows.

Bummer if something that's taxpayer funded kicks out a private business that's done so much for the local economy.

Guess it's a battle for the politicians now.

[oldandkrusty]

Well, while I agree that Carlisle never equalled Hershey, it was never supposed to. It was set up by Chip and Bill Miller to be something that Hershey wasn't. Hershey was (and is) run by the AACA and therefore, only stuff that fit the AACA criteria was allowed in. There was no room for the later model stuff that was becoming so popular. AACA being so unflexible said "go f#*k yourself" to the Millers and to many others that were looking for a venue that would serve everyone. That's why Carlisle was created.

I do agree that the traffic is a nightmare and the hotel rooms have become a joke, but the same thing happens everywhere an event becomes popular. Look at Bowling Green, for example.

I'm concerned that this annual spring and fall event will lose its very character by switching to another venue. Just a geezer worried about the status que, but what the hell, that's all I'got to worry about now. I like to know my schedule; you know, fiber in the morning, milk in the evening and then off for my constitutional. Something a fellow can depend on. And, I don't want them screwing with my schedule - Carlisle in the spring and fall! In Carlisle, for cripe's sake.

[5window]

Originally Posted by oldandkrusty

Well, while I agree that Carlisle never equalled Hershey, it was never supposed to. It was set up by Chip and Bill Miller to be something that Hershey wasn't. Hershey was (and is) run by the AACA and therefore, only stuff that fit the AACA criteria was allowed in. There was no room for the later model stuff that was becoming so popular. AACA being so unflexible said "go f#*k yourself" to the Millers and to many others that were looking for a venue that would serve everyone. That's why Carlisle was created.

I do agree that the traffic is a nightmare and the hotel rooms have become a joke, but the same thing happens everywhere an event becomes popular. Look at Bowling Green, for example.

I'm concerned that this annual spring and fall event will lose its very character by switching to another venue. Just a geezer worried about the status que, but what the hell, that's all I'got to worry about now. I like to know my schedule; you know, fiber in the morning, milk in the evening and then off for my constitutional. Something a fellow can depend on. And, I don't want them screwing with my schedule - Carlisle in the spring and fall! In Carlisle, for cripe's sake.

I'll second that. I'm close enough to drive down,so I don't need a motel and usually traffic's not that bad-guess we just know the back roads. But Carlsile's not just spring and fall. There's a meet almost every couple of weeks-Fords, Chevy's,Mopar,kit cars. The place must be a gold mine.

There are very few things that ever move that become bigger and better. I just hope it stays where it is-who needs more change?

[oldandkrusty]

Amen to that, 5window!

[Spike!]

Carlisle cops are dicks. I hope they move the whole thing out of that crap town and lose a ton of money. I won't spend a cent at Carlisle ever again after the local jack-asses harrassed me. Thank God I'm not angry or bitter and it hasn't affected me..LOL.. seriously, I hope Carlisle turns into a crack town.

Spike

[Clark]

Carlisle has been on a big downhill slide for a couple of years now. You can't blame it on Ebay either. It's their own fault. They are screwing over the little guy to get the big companies in. I go to swap meets to buy used items. Carlisle is becoming a catalog event. Most of what you get at Carlisle can be gotten from a catalog. The little guy is far and few between.

I won't even start a rant on the baskets and sock stands. The junk tools...well there's about way too many booths of that too.

Carlisle productions could take some serious notes from AACA.
Clark

[5window]

I agree with Clark. However, a couple of years ago,they banned the 100's of golf carts that zoomed around and now at least you can walk around in relative peace. It is really hard to find the little guy stuff. That's why we always go the the "over the hill gang" stuff first.

[Clark]

They're advertizing manufacturers midway now. Great!! Organize the place. put all the junk non car stuff together. Put the catalog venders together and finally put the swap guys together. I wouldn't care if the swap guys were on the hill, it would still cut down on the walking.

I used to go to some of the specialty shows. They are basically just for buying trophies. No fun involved. We've come close to being thrown out just for cruzing the grounds. They want you to pull into a designated area sit for the day then they hand you a trophy and tell you to go home...not for me!
Clark

[NRchopshop]

Ive been going ever since i was a kid. Its changed. And yeah, these days, the best stuff and the best deals are always on or behind the hill.

[oldandkrusty]

I guess I just like the tradition of going there, just the same as I like Hershey. As time passes things change, that's just a fact of life. Nothing we can do about it. However, that doesn't mean that I won't howl like a wounded dog when they do! So, I'm howling now. I like things just the way they are - but, I do wish I could morph back to the sixties when there were lots more Ford parts available and they were inexpensive. Ah yes, those WERE the days!!!

[sawzall]

as for where "carlisle" is located.. I could care less..
if it moved I would most likely go.. (assuming thier gate fees dont go up AGAIN)

however.. this quote from the article above strikes me..

Originally Posted by oldandkrusty

Detrick acknowledged that Carlisle Productions would greatly benefit by moving. The company would gain much more control of parking and concessions and likely find a site with better access routes.

“We would own 100 percent of the parking,” he says. “There’s a million dollars’ worth of business done outside these gates.”

so essentially if I read between the lines.. carlisle wants to cash in on ALL aspects of thier "EVENT"

JUST THINK.. when they own all the land for parking, CAMPING, and VENDING..

do you really think it will be better for ME?

[sawzall]

maybe carlisle can buy thier own PORT-A-JON company.. and charge me a nickel to take a dump..

why does it bother me so much that this is a business for someone else?

"F.C."

[Spike!]

..Hope the IRS is reading this and busts 'em...I'm not angry. I'm not bitter. It hasn't affected me.

Spike

[Movinman]

Remember, a lot of that 1 million dollars goes to the home owners who live around the fair grounds. It has always been a tradition of ours to pay someone $5 and park on their front lawn for the day. It's a shame that Carlisle Productions would be greedy enough to want to take that money away from the locals who tolerate the massive traffic jams surrounding any of the big events held there.

[tokyo]

Originally Posted by Movinman

Remember, a lot of that 1 million dollars goes to the home owners who live around the fair grounds. It has always been a tradition of ours to pay someone $5 and park on their front lawn for the day. It's a shame that Carlisle Productions would be greedy enough to want to take that money away from the locals who tolerate the massive traffic jams surrounding any of the big events held there.

Yeah..I wonder what they think...

tok

[mazdaslam]

I hope they DO move!! I have not gone to a show or the swap meet for 5 years.Too much t-shirts,leather belts,wicker baskets,Chinese tools,and just plain crap for sale for me.Put all that crap in one area so you dont waste your time sifting through that stuff looking for the deal of the century.More parts,less crap!!