NEWS: $500 Million EarthQuest theme park coming to Houston!

[Houpark]

I hope EarthQuest gets built. Stuff like this would be different in a theme park.

[Coaster Curt]

Different yes, but fun?

[COASTER FREAK 11]

I think Disney World has most facets of this covered in one way or another. lol

[jray21]

I'm always for new parks, but I put the chances of it opening the same as Kentucky Kingdom and Flying Turns.

[Meteornotes]

^Agreed. I'm all for new parks, but this one seems unlikely to actually happen.

 

dt

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/cypresscreek/news/earthquest-developers-believe-dinosaur-park-not-extinct/article_ea430b68-e102-11e2-af57-0019bb2963f4.html

 

It’s not a matter of “if” but “when” for the EarthQuest Development to become a reality.

 

Chris Brown with Contour Entertainment, who has taken over the development phase of EarthQuest, presented an information update for East Montgomery County Improvement District board members during their June 27 meeting.

 

EMCID required for Contour Entertainment to meet three requirements including hiring a qualified investment firm, purchase the land where EarthQuest is set to be situated and present an investment package proposal detailing fundraising and efforts leading them to meet their financial goal.

 

“The last time I was here, I presented information about our investment plan which was completed and distributed out to target investors,” Brown said at the meeting.

 

“We are currently in discussion with more than nine groups to put forth and finalize the deal to move the project along.”

 

They have received commitments in more than $100 million from some groups, which is what has been articulated to Contour Entertainment in their initial responses back from the companies to which they have reached out.

 

“We have had positive responses from just about everyone we have talked to,” Brown said. “As everyone knows, I have been pushing this project along and put all of my faith in the EarthQuest project becoming a reality.

 

“I keep waiting for someone who knows what they are talking about in the investment world to tell me that I am out of my mind and stop writing these checks in full but that has never happened. Much to my pleasure, it is the opposite and those I talk with are interested in working to see how we can get this project done. These positive responses have just bolstered my confidence that there will be an EarthQuest in East Montgomery County.”

 

When it comes to Brown’s “when, not if” scenario, it all comes down to the confirmation from investment bankers and capital advisors for the project.

 

He recently told EMCID President Frank McCrady that is a positive step in the right direction every time they receive information for investment companies about EarthQuest.

 

Brown discussed when they would officially close on the deal and all of the progress they have made in an almost four-hour-long executive session with the EMCID board members.

 

“We have made significant progress, half-billion transactions take time,” Brown said. “The financial team and investments advisors are actually quite surprised at how quickly everything has moved forward but it isn’t fast enough for me and for the community. Until it is done, I will just keep pounding away and the end is imminent.”

 

The other theme park slated for the East Montgomery County community, the Grand Texas Theme Park, continue to work with their land developer. They plan to make a significant announcement in July about their progress.

 

In additional business, the EMCID board members had the chance to nominate potential candidates to fill the board position left vacant by Marlene Idoux.

 

Idoux resigned in January only months after she was elected to the board on a platform of changes for the board and more accountability.

 

EMCID Board Director Dale Martin nominated Dr. Katherine Persson, the president of Lone Star College-Kingwood, to the position while EMCID Board Assistant Vice Chairman/Treasurer/Secretary Brenda Webb nominated Scott Hesson, who used to serve on the New Caney Independent School District board.

 

The nomination for Persson was approved with four votes and two opposed but this nomination was a complete surprise for Persson and for EMCID Chairman Connie Bloodworth.

 

Bloodworth questioned Persson as to whether she was aware of the nomination and asked if she would accept the position.

 

Persson agreed to accept the position but decline to take the oath of office at the June 27 meeting and urged the board to discuss the decision in executive session. This would also give her the chance to look over the qualifications of the board director position.

 

“I would be honored to serve in that capacity but this caught me unaware. This should be a board decision, as a whole, I believe,” Persson said at the meeting. “It would seem the board would first discuss this and then give me advance notice. I look forward to serving with the EMCID board.”

 

Persson elected to be sworn at the July EMCID Board meeting.

[gisco]

I'm always for new parks, but I put the chances of it opening the same as Kentucky Kingdom and Flying Turns.

 

Well Joey, KK looks like it will open next year!

[ernierocker]

^And so might Flying Turns! And then there is Ring Racer... AHHHHH!

Edited July 1, 2013 by ernierocker

[Mrlittle]

Yeah, I think Grand Texas will open before Earthquest. I've kind of given up on Earthquest. They only talk about potential investors and no real time table to get this started. However, I know Playland Park is coming to Texas City by 2015/16 and Grand Texas is supposed to make a big announcement soon. So two of the three parks proposed for Houston is not bad.

 

Of course, we need to see those bulldozers before we get to excited.

[jray21]

I'm always for new parks, but I put the chances of it opening the same as Kentucky Kingdom and Flying Turns.

 

Well Joey, KK looks like it will open next year!

 

Haha! Now it has to open! Glad it's still moving forward.

[Mrlittle]

So even though Grand Texas and Adventure Pointe are coming to Houston, the developers still act like Earthquest is possible. I at least have to give them props for not giving up on this.

EarthQuest Developers: ‘We are still alive’

Since the timeline ran out on the lease for the plat of land in New Caney that was owned by Friendswood Development, Contour Entertainment has already selected a new section of land in East Montgomery County. They plan to close on that particular parcel of land by May 2014. Because they are still working out all of the contract details and plans, the exact location Contour Entertainment has selected has not been made public yet.

 

Contour Entertainment, the developers of the themed adventure park, EarthQuest Adventures; continue to assure community they are still alive, thriving and planning to move into the East Montgomery County community.

 

 

Since the timeline ran out on the lease for the plat of land in New Caney that was owned by Friendswood Development, Contour Entertainment has already selected a new section of land in East Montgomery County.

 

They plan to close on that particular parcel of land by May 2014. Because they are still working out all of the contract details and plans, the exact location Contour Entertainment has selected has not been made public yet.

 

“We are on our way,” Chris Brown with Contour Entertainment said at the Feb. 18 East Montgomery County Improvement District meeting. “When we were here at the December EMCID meeting, we indicated that we would be making an international trip to meet with potential investors and possibly sign agreements so we could move forward. That did happen as planned, signed the next level of agreements with these investors and have also officially filed for the international incorporation which is imperative for the international deposits to this plan to be made.”

 

This funding will allow for them to move forward with their plans. They have also identified a property that is significantly larger than where they had previously planned for near Roman Forest.

 

“We have entered into an agreement with the owner of the land and it is within the EMCID boundary,” Brown said. “We hope to close on the purchase of the property around the end of May 2014. We are not dead; EarthQuest is alive and doing well. We have multiple designers adjusting the plans for the new property and we are proceeding.”

 

Contour Entertainment includes several key facts about the area in the packets they give to investors for EarthQuest such as population increases in the area as well as the opportunity to reach 7.2 million people within a two-hour drive time and 4.7 million in a one-hour drive time.

 

Once the land is purchased, Contour Entertainment plans to work with local companies they will hire to build the project in phases.

 

Brown cites the downturn in the economy as a reason it has taken a long time to receive funding for the EarthQuest Adventures project but ensured the EMCID board that they are making positive steps in the right direction to make this project a reality.

 

At this point, their plans still include a water park, theme park, museums, lodging, restaurants and many other features they hope to fit in with the natural landscape.

 

“As we continue forward, it is our intent to hire local firms to work with us on the project and make this a local project,” Brown said. “I think a lot more people will be happy once we finally break ground on the land and we have backhoes out there. We will get there.”

[larrygator]

I'm so confused trying to keep track of the potential projects in the Houston are. I completely forget about this third idea. I just hope one of them finally opens and is successful.

[Miracleman]

I'm no longer sure what to make of this. I want to be hopeful, but this thing has been a debacle in the past. I suppose now that Don Holbrook is nowhere near this thing, it may just have a shot. If all these new Houston parks happen, will they all be able to coexist?

 

SOURCE: http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2014/03/plans-for-dinosaur-themed-entertainment-complex.html

Mar 2, 2014, 8:00am CST UPDATED: Mar 3, 2014, 8:24am CST

Plans for dinosaur-themed entertainment complex not extinct

 

Although developers announced plans for a dinosaur-themed entertainment complex in Montgomery County years ago, they expect to close on land for the venue in the coming months, The Humble Observer reports.

Chris Brown, president of Los Angeles-based Contour Entertainment Inc., the project designer for EarthQuest, attended an East Montgomery County Improvement District meeting in February and said the land deal is expected to close around the end of May, the Observer reports. The exact location has not been disclosed, but it is reportedly bigger than the New Caney site originally selected for the park.

Contour cited the recession as a factor in the project’s delay.

In 2007, state legislation was enacted to pave the way for development of the entertainment complex proposed for Montgomery County. In 2010, the project had yet to break ground, but developers were eying a 2012 grand opening date.

According to EarthQuest’s website, the project has six major components: EarthQuest Institute, an education and research facility; EarthQuest Adventures Theme Park; Cretaceous Cove Water Park; Green Gadget Garage, a family entertainment center; EarthQuest Resort Hotel; ecotourism activities; and EarthWalk, a retail, dining and entertainment area.

Meanwhile, work is underway on the Grand Texas Sports and Entertainment District in New Caney, northeast of Houston. That venue will also include a theme park, as well as a water park, a ballpark, a shopping and entertainment district, an event center, a sports complex and at least two hotels and an RV resort.

The water park likely will be the first component to open, which is expected in April 2015.

Click here to see an animation and renderings of the Grand Texas theme park. Click here to read a Q&A with developer Monty Galland.

Olivia Pulsinelli is the web producer for the Houston Business Journal's award-winning website. Follow her on Twitter for more.

Edited March 4, 2014 by robbalvey

[TxChoice]

Oh, so they haven't closed the real estate deal on the new land site, but still are aiming for a water park opening in 2015? Not holding my breath...

[Miracleman]

Oh, so they haven't closed the real estate deal on the new land site, but still are aiming for a water park opening in 2015? Not holding my breath...

 

I think the article is referring to the Grand Texas water park opening in 2015. It is a bit poorly worded there, though.

[Zem]

Oh, so they haven't closed the real estate deal on the new land site, but still are aiming for a water park opening in 2015? Not holding my breath...

 

I thought they had already secured this plot of land? I've been by it a few times on my way out of town and there was even a sign up on the side of the road for it.

 

[Mrlittle]

^ They went bankrupt and sold all that land. The original designers of the park made an agreement with the new land owner that they could buy back a portion of the land. That recently did not happen so now they are saying " we got the money and a new location". I doubt this park will ever be built. I guess we will find out more in the coming weeks.

[TxChoice]

^ Yeah

The article is poorly worded right there. But that's what I got from it too.

I wonder where this new plot of land is exactly.

[Miracleman]

Here are a couple of recent articles that expand upon the recent park situation with regard to the land purchase and

how far along the park plans are. This just seems so ambitious, especially for a park with no ties to a major theme park company, but, I suppose, stranger things have happened and this project just refuses to die despite losing its land. Only this park would try to expand their plans after what it's been through. Still, I recommend tempering hopes with many, many grains of salt.

 

SOURCE: http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/kingwood/business/article/Developers-of-Texas-dinosaur-theme-park-trying-to-5285473.php#photo-5971646

 

Developers of Texas dinosaur theme park trying to double its land size

by Heather Alexander, Houston Chronicle | March 4, 2014 | Updated: March 4, 2014 10:48am

 

Developers planning a 500-acre family theme park with life sized dinosaurs north of Houston say they are in discussions to close on a new plot of land twice the size of the original plot.

 

Los Angeles-based Contour development won't confirm exactly where the new site for the famed EarthQuest park is until the deal is finalized, but they do pinpoint East Montgomery County as the basic area.

 

"We are working like crazy to get all the little pieces in place," said Contour President Chris Brown. "This site is more than twice the size of the one we had before."

 

Brown said the previous deal for land alongside U.S. 59 at New Caney fell through because too many restrictions were placed on investors who want to build a raft of supporting infrastructure in the form of hotels and other services for potential visitors.

 

"The investors want freedom to develop all around the park, which would be even more profitable than the park itself," said Brown.

 

The EarthQuest team see the U.S. 59 corridor as the "last spoke" out of Houston left un-developed and say their Disney-esque theme park would fill a void on the Texas landscape.

 

"There are lots of theme parks but a fully developed family-based theme park does not exist," Brown said.

 

The project, which can now be seen in elaborate renderings of eco-friendly water parks, rides and educational areas, has been in the works since 2007.

 

It would be seven times larger than AstroWorld, with 50 attractions that stress environmental stewardship including a 12-acre water park made from a retreating glacier to an animal park that includes threatened species and a ride through a land with a fiery volcano and life-sized dinosaurs.

 

Contour said it hopes to close the deal on the new site in May this year.

 

And apparently that article got San Antonio all nervous.

 

SOURCE: http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/blog/2014/03/planned-earthquest-theme-park-in-houston-could.html

 

Mar 6, 2014, 1:05pm CST

Planned Earthquest theme park in Houston could become monstrous

 

Earthquest theme park in Houston could give Six Flags Fiesta Texas and SeaWorld a run for their money.

 

W. Scott Bailey

Reporter/Project Coordinator-

San Antonio Business Journal

 

As Six Flags Fiesta Texas and SeaWorld San Antonio prepare for the spring and summer rush, developers of a planned theme park in the Houston area are already expanding the scope of a project that could pull business from the Alamo City once it opens.

Los Angeles-based Contour had already begun the planning phase for a 500-acre Earthquest development in Montgomery County. Now, the company is considering doubling the size of the prehistoric-themed park, according to a Houston Chronicle report.

The environmental theme park could have more than four-dozen attractions and a water park constructed around a mock glacier. If constructed as planned, the park would be significantly larger than Houston’s former Astroworld site, which closed several years ago, eliminating some of the San Antonio parks’ competition.

“We are working like crazy to get all the little pieces in place,” says Contour President Chris Brown, according to the Chronicle. “This site is more than twice the size of the one we had before.”

Fiesta Texas and SeaWorld have both enjoyed strong drive business over the years. The Houston-area park could cut into some of that visitation in the Alamo City.

[Mrlittle]

^ It must of been a slow news day in San Antonio.

[Miracleman]

More news from the project that refuses to die gracefully. They had another meeting with EMCID board a few days ago and they set a new target opening date for their development on their new plot of land. Summer 2017. Apparently they have actual investors lined up this time. The plan to close on the new land next month. The article plays it nice and solely blames the economic downturn for the past debacle instead of Don Holbrook's fleecing of the county. At least Chris Brown and Contour Entertainment seem like they are passionate about this project. As always, time will tell. What will be posted here in summer of 2017?

 

Source: http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/humble/news/earthquest-adventures-development-plans-are-not-extinct/article_0257313c-39c5-511f-ad31-88ecaced5585.html

 

Dinosaur Park: EarthQuest Adventures development plans are not extinct

 

Posted: Friday, April 18, 2014 8:00 am | Updated: 3:06 pm, Sat Apr 19, 2014.

By JENNIFER SUMMER

Chris Brown of Contour Entertainment, the developer of EarthQuest Adventures, officially announced a timeline of when phase one will be complete and when portions of the park will be open to the public at EMCID’s April 17 meeting. They have set a goal to be open in the summer of 2017.

East Montgomery County Improvement District board members recently asked EarthQuest developers tough questions and addressed concerns about the project’s viability.

Chris Brown of Contour Entertainment, the developer of EarthQuest Adventures, officially announced a timeline of when phase one will be complete and when portions of the park will be open to the public at EMCID’s April 17 meeting. They have set a goal to be open in the summer of 2017.

The developers of EarthQuest have secured international investors who will visit the area the first week of May to learn more about East Montgomery County, the EarthQuest project and the tract of land they are hoping to close on after their visit.

The first phase of development is expected to cost $550 million which will be the entertainment district and hotel. According to EMCID Board President Fred Wetz and Brown, they have not given any money to EarthQuest Developers as a form of payment in the three years since Brown has worked on this development.

“I’ve said many times how this is an endurance race,” Brown said. “We first started working on the EarthQuest development in late 2007 so it has been around six-and-a-half years of hard work to bring this project to the community. The recession bump in 2008-09 almost derailed the whole project and has caused delays but we have a great time that is dedicated to this project.”

Once they seal the deal on the property, EarthQuest has given themselves a timeline of three years to redesign the layout of the project, construct on site, fabricate and build on site and open it up for the community.

The timeline ran out on the lease for the plat of land in New Caney that was owned by Friendswood Development, Contour Entertainment has already selected a new section of land in East Montgomery County. Their new land selection is much bigger and there are no restrictions on how the land can be used which will be very beneficial for all of the different aspects of EarthQuest.

EMCID board member Connie Bloodworth asked Brown why the community and EMCID should have any confidence that this project will come to fruition.

“Now we actually have people who are committed to financing EarthQuest and willing to come to the site to see where EarthQuest will be,” Brown said. “From our insider perspective, we have met with many groups that were not willing to be a lead investor. We have that now and we are excited to move this project along. The heart and soul of this project and where it all began is with the EarthQuest Institute. The EarthQuest Institute is a separate entity than the EarthQuest Park and is a 501©3 organization and is integral to the story that this project says. We have faith that this will become a reality.”

At this point, their plans still include a water park, theme park, museums, lodging, restaurants and many other features they hope to fit in with the natural landscape. There will also be retail and a residential area as well. They plan to work in the woods and demonstrate eco-friendly development; they will not clear cut the area when they begin development.

The fundamental concept that was proposed to EMCID when the project was first vetted has not changed but because they have more land, they will need to redesign some portions of the schematic drawings.

The original agreement between EMCID and EarthQuest stated that EarthQuest will pay back the bonds that EMCID gave them when they close the deal on the land which the developers will honor even though the bonds were given to the previous developer.

“It has been a long haul but I feel that we are closer to the finish line than we ever have been in the past,” Dr. Matt Gardner with EarthQuest said. “The whole core message for EarthQuest focuses on the environment, sustainability and eco-friendliness. There will be more than one million people visiting the park so it is important to bring a variety of different venues to our customers. There is nothing like this concept anywhere in the world; this will put EMC on the global map.”

For more information or developing plans, visit www.earthquestadventures.com.

[Texasbest2015]

With Chris Brown and contour ent! I'm feeling good about this project happens to many broken promises the city of houston needs this 3 parks hope it happens !!!

[ernierocker]

^You really need to take more time in making sure your grammar and punctuation is correct before you hit the submit button.

[djboss302]

With Grand Texas already clearing land, I doubt this will ever happen.

[gisco]

They don't have the investors yet. It clearly states that the potential investors will take a look at the area in May and the deal on the land will close after that. I don't see this happening. Not with the other two parks proposed that are farther along the process.