Blog > Racing Ahead: $200M Motorsports Megaplex Gets Green Light in Putnam County
Racing Ahead: $200M Motorsports Megaplex Gets Green Light in Putnam County
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A major new project that could transform Putnam County is moving closer to reality after earning its first key approval Wednesday night.
The $200 million development, proposed by St. Augustine–based Scott Lagasse Racing (Team SLR) in partnership with Mosler Industries, would include a high-end driver training and test track, luxury car storage, and various other features—highlighted by a four-star hotel.
Led by Palatka native and former NASCAR driver Scott Lagasse Sr. alongside his son, professional driver Scott Lagasse Jr., Team SLR’s vision was met with enthusiasm by the Putnam County Planning Commission, which voted unanimously to recommend the project to county commissioners.
Today, the Lagasses focus on their Trans Am Series team, a driver-training program, and building cars for other racing teams.
Their proposed 443-acre site sits alongside the Palatka–Kay Larkin Airport—a location Scott Lagasse Sr. described as ideal for attracting high-end clients while minimizing noise concerns.
The project has earned enthusiastic backing from community leaders, including Sheriff Gator DeLoach, as well as strong support from local residents who say Putnam County needs a major economic driver to boost growth and create jobs.
According to project representatives, the development could generate $20 million annually for the local economy and could be operational by 2027.
“This is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time,” Lagasse Sr. said. “It’s home to me and I don’t want to travel…Why not build it here and have the revenues here?”
“Why not Putnam?” the younger Lagasse told the panel at the meeting, stressing his family’s roots in the area. “This is dad’s home. This is legacy. Why not here?”
The impending $200 Million Motorsplex in Putnam County represents a genuine economic catalyst poised to fundamentally shift the local real estate landscape. Spearheaded by Palatka natives and former NASCAR drivers Scott Lagasse Sr. and Jr., this 443-acre multi-use development—located strategically near the Palatka-Kay Larkin Airport—is not just a racetrack; it is a massive capital investment designed to create a sustainable, high-end destination. The estimated $20 million annual economic injection and projected job creation will drive demand for both residential and commercial properties, moving the county from a pass-through area to a legitimate, long-term destination. Savvy investors and prospective homeowners should monitor the surrounding areas closely for preemptive opportunities.
The diverse nature of the complex's plans creates multiple opportunities for specialized real estate growth. Key components include a high-end driver training and test track, luxury car storage, a racing museum, and, significantly, the county’s first four-star hotel. This immediately signals a need for increased short-term rental and commercial space to support the influx of professional teams, high-net-worth clients, and tourists. Furthermore, the facility's role in public safety, offering training for first responders and a teen driving program, alongside a partnership with St. Johns River College for automotive courses, guarantees a reliable, non-seasonal population of long-term visitors and students requiring quality rental and residential housing nearby.
From a residential standpoint, the motorsports megaplex is likely to increase property values in the immediate vicinity, particularly for homes bordering the project’s zone. While some local concerns regarding potential noise and traffic congestion—specifically along State Route 100—have been voiced, developers have committed to using extensive tree and vegetation buffers to mitigate sound. For a Realtor, this means properties with strong sound-dampening features or those situated strategically away from the main track's sight lines may become highly desirable. Investors should look at the long-term appreciation potential driven by the prestige of a world-class facility drawing national attention.
The unanimous approval by the Putnam County Commissioners signifies robust local support, although the project is now advancing through the final state review process. This is the last major regulatory hurdle before construction is slated to begin, potentially leading to an operational facility by as early as 2027. This timeline provides a critical window for real estate professionals and clients to act. As one of the most significant development projects in the county's history, the Motorsplex ensures that any properties purchased or developed in the surrounding Palatka area now are strategically positioned to capitalize on the guaranteed economic and population growth that will accompany its eventual groundbreaking.
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Want to purchase one of these future Race and Garage themed properties? Reach out to me and I can make sure you get in first.
Cody Bockheim -Realtor
904-315-9966
REAL BROKER LLC
