The sounds of slot machines might be overtaken by the sounds of traffic heading into Anderson.
Hoosier Park officials started planning meetings this week to discuss how it will add slot machines to its facility and how it will impact the community.
City officials attended a meeting Wednesday at the request of Hoosier Park officials to discuss preliminary planning for the addition of slot machines at Hoosier Park. One issue discussed was the amount of traffic that would be created by the expansion.
"There's going to be increased traffic brought on by the slots being out there," said Michael Widing, Anderson director of municipal development. "How much traffic? No one knows."
Rick Moore, president and general manager of Hoosier Park, said the group would probably work with an engineering firm to assess the effect the expansion will have on traffic.
"We're trying to determine how we're going to do it, where we're going to do it," Moore said. "I know there's a lot of anticipation and people want to know a lot of information."
Moore said he could not comment on what the park would do until he saw results from a study.
During a public workshop Wednesday focused on reforming the city zoning ordinance, Anderson employees suggested that areas around Hoosier Park be included in major corridor districts. Citing an outside consulting firm, Widing said slots could generate as many as 10,000 additional cars a day, but said that number was only speculation. In light of the suggested number, Widing requested a traffic impact analysis, which he expects in the next 60 days.
"We're just wanting to get the best possible idea about what impact (the addition of slot machines) is going to be," Mayor Kevin Smith said.
Widing said everyone hoped the increased traffic would help bring business to restaurants, stores and other businesses in the community.
"I think it's going to be excellent for Anderson business because it will bring increased trade for this area," he said.
Moore said Hoosier Park was working with several architects, contractors and engineers as it prepares for the addition of the slot machines.
"I assure everyone that we will get (information) out because this is a very important project for Madison County and the city of Anderson," he said.
Moore said the racetrack would appreciate any comments or suggestions people had, and people could go to the Web site - www.hoosierpark.com - to do that.