STURGIS, S.D., March 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Harley-Davidson and the city of Sturgis traded-in gilded shovels and ceremonial hard hats for revving motorcycles and open-face helmets to break ground, or more accurately, tear it up to start construction of The Harley-Davidson Rally Point, the city's new permanent year-round space for riders.
Carey Hart, motocross superstar, does a burnout at the groundbreaking for The Harley-Davidson Rally Point, on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 in Sturgis, SD. Hart is the 2015 Grand Marshall of the Mayor's Ride during the 75th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. (Toby Brusseau/AP Images for Harley-Davidson)
Bill Davidson, great-grandson of Harley-Davidson founder William A. Davidson and vice president of the Harley-Davidson Museum, and Carey Hart, motocross superstar, survey The Rally Point construction site and pose with the iconic STURGIS sign in the background, in Sturgis, SD, Wednesday, March 25, 2015. The Rally Point will feature an elevated area for riders to take a picture on their motorcycle with the STURGIS sign as the backdrop. (Toby Brusseau/AP Images for Harley-Davidson)
Harley-Davidson unveils renderings for new Main Street Experience in Sturgis, South Dakota. This permanent plaza, built from bricks of the company's historic headquarters, will be known as the Harley-Davidson Rally Point, serving as a year-round space for riders in the mecca of motorcyclists.
Harley-Davidson and the City of Sturgis break ground on their 75-year relationship today by renaming 2nd Street "Harley-Davidson Way," and beginning construction on the Harley-Davidson Rally Point. Rapid City architect, Eirik Heikes of FourFront Design, Inc., designed this new permanent, year-round space.
"Sturgis is a mecca for riders around the world. The Harley-Davidson Rally Point establishes a new site in downtown Sturgis for people to gather year round," said Bill Davidson, great-grandson of Harley-Davidson founder William A. Davidson and vice president of the Harley-Davidson Museum. "The renaming of 2nd Street to Harley-Davidson Way honors the legacy of our company's founders along with all the extraordinary men and women who ride our motorcycles."
Building on the 75-year agreement that makes Harley-Davidson the rally's official motorcycle, The Rally Point – at the corner of Main Street and Harley-Davidson Way – will include a stage for events, concerts and weddings. An elevated area for riders to take pictures on their motorcycles with the iconic STURGIS sign as the backdrop is also part of the plan.
Harley-Davidson fans across the country suggested dozens of names for the new Main Street presence. The Rally Point – an enduring term for a ride-starting meeting place – rose to the top. Riders on three Harley-Davidson® motorcycles: a 1978 Super Glide with a Shovelhead engine, a 2015 Street™ 750, and a Project LiveWire motorcycle broke ground today on the new space, which will be open in time for the 75th Sturgis® Motorcycle Rally™.
Officials from Sturgis and employees from Harley-Davidson worked with FourFront Design, Inc. in Rapid City to develop the final design and renderings. Eirik Heikes with FourFront Design, Inc. is the principle landscape architect and Jessica Hawn lead planner.
"Breaking ground on The Rally Point solidifies Harley-Davidson's presence in Sturgis," said Sturgis Mayor Mark Carstensen. "The Rally Point will be a hub for riders during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and it will serve as a gathering point for the citizens of Sturgis throughout the year."
A Special Delivery from Milwaukee To ensure the new multi-purpose space builds on the legacy of the brand and is pure Harley-Davidson, 74 bricks from the company's Milwaukee headquarters, a building that once housed the company's factory dating back more than 100 years, and one brick from the Harley-Davidson Museum will be integrated into The Rally Point's final construction.
As part of the ceremonial groundbreaking, the bricks traveled 900 miles from Milwaukee on Harley-Davidson motorcycles and were delivered to Mayor Carstensen by members of the Harley Owners Group. Carey Hart, motocross star and 2015 Grand Marshall of the Sturgis City of Riders Mayor's Ride, received the bricks with Mayor Carstensen.
As riders swap out their cold weather riding gear for lightweight jackets and vests, now is the time to visit a Harley-Davidson dealership and start preparing your bike for the summer riding season and the 75th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The party starts Aug. 1, 2015. For inspiration and pictures from the 2014 Sturgis Rally and to see the design images of The Rally Point, visit www.h-d.com/sturgis.
About Harley-Davidson Motor Company Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson® motorcycle parts, accessories, riding gear and apparel, and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson's website at www.h-d.com
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