It's Really Happening

After years of planning, millions of dollars in street repairs and construction, and countless hours of delayed traffic, the final pieces of Baltimore’s upcoming Grand Prix are now being put in place.

As part of phase two of Grand Prix construction, grandstand seating and race barrier walls are now being assembled at the first of the race’s three viewing locations, the Inner Harbor amphitheater. Phase two is expected to take forty days to complete and will cost the city around $2.5 million, according to Grand Prix president Jay Davidson.

Looking to dispel rumors that the Grand Prix will shut down the entire downtown area, city transportation officials assure residents that although several major streets will be closed for the race Labor Day weekend, downtown Baltimore itself would be open and ready for business.

In total, the race is expected to draw more than 100,000 visitors to Baltimore and have an estimated economic impact of $70 million.

Read more about Baltimore’s long drive toward its inaugural Grand Prix in our August issue – on newsstands now!

—Summer editorial intern Tyler Green wrote this piece.