The Associated Press

LOUISVILLE - Churchill Downs will demolish a row of recently acquired houses and a tavern to add additional parking near the track.

Churchill has spent more than $1 million on land in recent months, paying homeowners and tenants between $135,000 and $250,000 this summer for six houses and Churchill Blue's Bar. The track plans to have extra parking ready for next year's spring meet.

The prices paid to residents are well above appraisal values.

Greg Noakes, who bought his home for $60,000 in 1999, got $175,500 for the 1,013-square-foot house, which was built in 1920.

"It was fair for me," Noakes said. "I think it was more than fair. I'm happy with it."

Leonard Stoops of Southaven, Miss., received $135,000 from Churchill for rental property assessed at $38,000. Stoops said he paid about $15,000 for the house in the 1970s.

"They almost made an offer that would get me totally out of debt, and now that I'm retired, I thought I can't hardly turn that down," Stoops said.

The houses will be razed and replaced with parking for up to 250 cars or parking for buses.

Jim Gates, Churchill's general manager, said the demolition is expected to begin early next year.

Churchill has added 11 properties since November, according to property records. Gates said the track is eyeing five additional houses and an undetermined number of other lots for extra parking.

The track has been unable to persuade at least one family to sell.

The Stair family runs its own parking business during races, and the family's acreage stands between Churchill's parking lots and the newly purchased lots.

"Because we don't have all of that property, it's not possible to pave over everything on the other side," Gates said.

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Information from: The Courier-Journal, http://www.courier-journal.com