Possible new park in Michigan

[Akbar42]

Let the lurking come to an end! Finally my first post.

 

This might be old news but I couldn't find it anywhere here. We went to wedding near Grayling last weekend and this was all the talk.

 

An amusement park in Grayling? The rumors may be true

Sunday, July 30, 2006

By ERIC ENGLISH

TIMES WRITER

 

GRAYLING - A Michigan company wants to turn 1,800 acres of state-owned land near Grayling into a $160 million family theme park called Main Street USA.

 

The Rochester-based firm, called Axiom Entertainment, is meeting with state officials behind closed doors to hammer out details of the proposed project.

 

Company and state officials declined to comment on the plan.

 

 

But records obtained by The Times through the Freedom of Information Act show Axiom officials have been discussing the project in Lansing with state leaders, including Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm.

 

Heidi Watson, Granholm's deputy press secretary, said the governor's office doesn't discuss ongoing business negotiations. She declined to comment on Axiom's proposed plans.

 

A spokeswoman for Axiom, who asked not to be identified, also declined to comment for this story.

 

But paperwork received from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources shows Axiom is interested in acquiring about 1,800 acres of wooded DNR property just south of Grayling and along Interstate 75 that is available for industrial or commercial development.

 

Documents show the company wants to use the land to construct a theme park that would employ up to 2,000 people seasonally and 700 year-round. It could draw up to

 

1.7 million visitors a year.

 

It isn't clear what ''theme'' the development would adopt, since a formal business plan isn't included in the DNR documents. The paperwork includes hand-written notes, a meeting agenda, a letter of intent to sell property and e-mails from a variety of state officials concerning Axiom's plans.

 

Yet if the giant project becomes a reality, it could link Grayling's name with ''Main Street USA'' in the same way Sandusky means Cedar Point and Muskegon is associated with the Michigan's Adventure amusement park.

 

For now, though, people involved in the process aren't talking.

 

''I've heard all the rumors and that's all that I can say,'' said Gaila Gilliland, director of the Crawford County Economic Development Partnership, an agency that markets the area to new business.

 

Rumors are flying, questions remain

 

While no one is making any formal announcements, that hasn't kept people in the Grayling area from talking about the theme park. It's been a topic of conversation for weeks.

 

''It's the rumor of the township right now,'' said Grayling Township Supervisor Terry Wright. ''We're hearing all this and don't know what's true and what's not true.''

 

The idea of such a huge development in Crawford County is fueling speculation about how it might transform the region.

 

Cedar Point, for example, drew 3.1 million visitors last year to Erie County, Ohio. The Erie County Visitor's Bureau estimates the county sees about 8 million tourists a year for attractions that include the amusement park, nearby Lake Erie Islands and the area's public beaches.

 

A report commissioned by the Ohio tourism bureau showed travelers spent about $1.5 billion in Erie County in 2004.

 

Closer to home, the Michigan's Adventure park near Muskegon reported a record year for attendance in 2005, with 550,000 visitors, according to The Muskegon Chronicle.

 

In Grayling, there's cautious excitement about the prospect of such an influx of people.

 

''I was just sitting at a customer's house the other day and he was saying they are going to build a big theme park, and (land) prices are going to double,'' said Dennis McDonald, owner of Re/Max of Higgins Lake, who sells property near Grayling.

 

''My feeling on anything like this is to treat it with a healthy dose of skepticism,'' McDonald said Tuesday.

 

There are some stumbling blocks to any potential development of the Crawford County DNR property, which fronts Four Mile Road south of Grayling. One problem is that the site lacks municipal sewer and water service.

 

Wright said the property has been on the market for development for the past five years and has had some businesses interested in it, but hasn't had any takers.

 

But according to a June 13 letter of intent signed by David E. Freed, chief of land and facilities for the DNR, Axiom is working to secure a two-year option to purchase the DNR land near Grayling available for development.

 

The letter states that the land sale is contingent on a minimum 30-day public review of Axiom's plans, approval by local government and review by the Michigan Natural Resources Commission.

 

Axiom also is seeking $25 million in help from the state for infrastructure improvements to the site, according to a March 30 agenda of discussion items for a meeting in Lansing with James C. Epolito, president of the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

 

The company would also need the state to improve the I-75 interchange with Four Mile Road, and to possibly create a separate exit out of the park through the state rest area on the freeway, the agenda notes.

 

Who's behind the plan

 

None of the documents obtained by The Times indicates anything about the background of Axiom Entertainment or its apparent owner, Patrick R. Crosson.

 

The Times also did not find any information about the company or Crosson through Internet searches of those names.

 

However, the March 30 meeting agenda with MEDC indicates that Axiom is proposing a partnership with two companies involved in theme-park development: Rock and Waterscape International and Jack Rouse Associates.

 

Rock and Waterscape builds artificial rock and coral structures, according to the company's Web site. Its clients include the outdoor retailer Cabela's and the Las Vegas casino resort Wynn Las Vegas.

 

Jack Rouse Associates is a worldwide theme-park developer whose current projects include a 500,000-square-foot dinosaur-based theme park in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and a theme park that is set to open in the port city of Ningbo, China, according to that company's Web site.

 

Whether or not a theme park ever breaks ground in Crawford County, the question remains: Are the 9,000 people who live in and around the community of Grayling ready for such a large-scale development? The area's historic tourism draws are trout fishing, canoeing and seeing the big trees at Hartwick Pines State Park.

 

Steve Southard, owner of the landmark Fly Factory fishing store on the banks of the Au Sable in Grayling, feels the town is ready for a change.

 

''Grayling needs something, because we have an inadequate economic base,'' Southard said. ''I would like to see something maybe not that large, but it's better than a smokestack industry.''

 

Link to story

 

Arial map of proposed location

 

I did a little digging and the company they mention

Axiom seems to be some sort of video production/promotions company. I found their mission statement:

Axiom Entertainment's mission is to create the highest quality entertainment that will motivate people physically, spiritually and vocationally to make positive choices. Our desire is to touch the hearts of mainstream audiences with true stories from history, sports or industry and fictional stories woven around deep inspiratonal truths.

 

Knowing this area of Michigan I believe that this might do slightly better than Six Flags Auto World in Flint. It is good tourist traffic in the summer, but the winter doesn't lend itself to weekend trips with frequent blizzard conditions and only one way in or out on I-75, unless the theme it for Ice fishing and snowmobiles. Either way if it gets built it will be interesting to see what they put in.

[Carnage]

Interesting concept.

 

If it happens it could really help the Michigan economy.

 

I'm all for another major theme park within driving distance of me. Even if it's in Michigan.

[coasterman7]

Cool!! But if it's year around, how is it going to draw visitors during the winter season?

[coasterdude5]

^ It might have an indoor section or something.

 

Sounds like a great concept.

[mombat]

Grayling, Michigan is right near the heart of the ski area in Michigan. If you think the tourism ends when winter comes, you've never been to Boyne Mountain once the weather gets cold. Add to that the snowmobiers and cross country skiers, and there are a lot of people heading north in Michigan.

Wisconsin Dells is also in a very cold climate, and, though I've never been there, they seem to be doing fine. They also have one of the largest indoor water parks.

An amusement/theme park in this area would be a huge kick for the local economy. There are few large cities in this area, and that many jobs would make a big difference.

BUT...since I live in Southwestern Michigan, close to the Indiana border, I really wish they'd build something down here! It's several hours to any parks from here, and with the Indiana Toll Road running from east to west, the draw from Notre Dame University (an hour south from where I live) and the zillions of hotels that have been built for the ND football seasonal visitors, this would be a prime are for a park.

I hope this isn't just a rumor. Michigan really needs a boost to it's economy and more jobs.

And big coasters!