New Rock and Roll Theme Park for Phoenix metro area?

[haux]

I hate to be a cynic because Arizona really needs an amusement park, but this isn't happening. Period.

 

But I bet I know exactly where they're planning this. Some guy maybe a decade ago was planning on building a family amusement park in or near Eloy (between Tucson and Phoenix), but he went bankrupt or something. There are still a few theming elements sitting on this large plot of land near Interstate 10.

 

I bet these people bought that land or are planning on buying it. But a rock 'n' roll park? South Carolina called ...

[Mozart67]

Yeah, Arizona needs a park, but I dont think this one is it. I like Jew's comment about the conceptual overview looking like a middle-school art project. There's some other conceptual problems as well, the whole Hard Rock thing notwithstanding. This isnt so much Decades of Rock as it is Decades of Classic Rock. While "Elevator" and "Thunderstruck" were hits in the 80's and 90's respectively, there's precious little theming, attraction or ride devoted to major 80's and 90's currents in rock like new wave, college rock, alternative and grunge. No metal, even. I think the concept needs more fleshing out.

Also, the Mount Rock!more thing at the toip of the page is..well, extremely amusing, to say the least. Doing something like that will open the park up to fire, because you're not going to make everyone happy with your 4 heads of Rock.

I dunno..it has lots of potential and Phoe-Tusc (yeah, I know..it sounds like fee-toos or fetus) really needs it, but it's not the right one.

[Mozart67]

Yeah, Arizona needs a park, but I dont think this one is it. I like Jew's comment about the conceptual overview looking like a middle-school art project. There's some other conceptual problems as well, the whole Hard Rock thing notwithstanding. This isnt so much Decades of Rock as it is Decades of Classic Rock. While "Elevator" and "Thunderstruck" were hits in the 80's and 90's respectively, there's precious little theming, attraction or ride devoted to major 80's and 90's currents in rock like new wave, college rock, alternative and grunge. No metal, even. I think the concept needs more fleshing out.

Also, the Mount Rock!more thing at the toip of the page is..well, extremely amusing, to say the least. Doing something like that will open the park up to fire, because you're not going to make everyone happy with your 4 heads of Rock.

I dunno..it has lots of potential and Phoe-Tusc (yeah, I know..it sounds like fee-toos or fetus) really needs it, but it's not the right one.

[MisterP]

I'll visit as long as there is no land themed on the Dave Matthews Band...

[JimmyBo]

Just a little info from azstar.net

 

"PHOENIX — The effort to build a large-scale rock 'n' roll theme park in Eloy passed its first test Wednesday.

The Senate Commerce and Economic Development Committee signed off on backers' request to create a special taxing district to help finance the park.

The concept won bipartisan support even though some members worried the plan was nothing short of a handout.

"When you put someone at such a huge competitive advantage by being able to use municipal financing … it's not even just corporate welfare — it's theme-park welfare," said Sen. Ken Cheuvront, D-Phoenix. "I don't believe the role of government is to finance for-profit corporations."

The bill passed on a 5-2 vote but still needs to pass both chambers of the Legislature and be signed by the governor. Holding some back initially were memories of Tucson's Rio Nuevo Downtown redevelopment project. In 2006, the Legislature approved extending Rio Nuevo's special taxing district by 12 years, an estimated $800 million decision.

Citing little progress, Cheuvront said Rio Nuevo is "just a black hole," while Sen. Robert Blendu, R-Phoenix — who eventually voted for the theme-park legislation — called it "Rio Dinero."

But unlike Rio Nuevo, which diverts existing taxes from the state's general fund to pay off bonds, the Eloy project would have no fiscal impact because it creates a new tax — up to 9 percent — on activity within the park's boundaries only.

The money would be used to repay low-interest government bonds to pay back investors who front the money for the park. The bill requires planners to first raise $100 million on their own.

The plan, announced in November, would take 300 acres of privately owned land in Eloy, just southeast of where Interstates 8 and 10 intersect, and transform them into a sprawling $800 million theme park dedicated to America's rock 'n' roll history.

Its planners hope to complete the park by 2012 and say it could handle a yearly attendance of more than 6 million, or about as many visitors as Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., receives, and 2 million more a year than San Diego's SeaWorld attracts.

The two dissenters on the committee — Cheuvront and Sen. Pamela Gorman, R-Anthem — argued if the park were viable it would not need government aid. Kevin DeMenna, lobbyist for the project, countered that's not how theme parks are built.

"A project like this, in a national environment, in an international environment, is going to be competing where there are going to be subsidies, where there are going to be checks written straight up by other governments," DeMenna said. "Projects like this will go someplace else."

Sen. Richard Miranda, D-Tolleson, cited the economic impact the Feb. 3 Super Bowl in Glendale had on the Phoenix-area economy. He said that would not have been possible if Maricopa County residents had not helped finance a $500 million stadium there.

Blendu said if the project turned out to be unsuccessful, the Legislature could undo the law. But Gorman said while that's possible, it's unlikely.

Looking to build bipartisan support, the park's promoters sent out a press release Tuesday explaining that they intend to make the park "green," looking at solar-energy, biodiesel-usage, light-pollution and water-usage strategies.

Asked about the park and the taxing district Wednesday, Gov. Janet Napolitano would not comment, saying only, "We'll see if it gets to my desk."

 

More found here along with where the park will be

http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/226134

 

For those of you that know the area, I believe it will be pretty damn close to SkyDive Arizona, which is the world's largest SkyDive Resort.

[Gnome]

^ I don't know if you've noticed, but themeparks have been popping up like pimples on a teenager's face. There's already, like, 6 or 7 amusement parks set to open in 2008-2009 in America alone.

 

There's no doubt in my mind that this park could happen.

 

But there are numerous parks closing as well. Just because other parks are opening doesn't give this one a better chance of opening. There are an amazing number of hurdles to clear to get a brand new theme park up and running.

 

However, there is a great population base in this area to support the park if it opens.

crappy parks are the ones that are closing. Not well thought at parks people can actually enjoy.

[okinawaboy11]

Doesn't this conflict with Hard Rock Park? Don't they have certain rights over the band names and stuff like that?

 

Or maybe I'm just stupid and don't know anything

[Voyage_luvr]

The concept is really cool, but some of the names just don't do it for me. And the concept art looks like it was drawn by a 5th grader. Hopefully they will improve this project, as I really like it.

[Pelydr]

It would be fantastic if this really does happen! The concept art does look pretty bad, though, but they have time to improve on it at least. Still, to have something only an hour from me would be great.

[Sgt. Fox]

Legend City v2.0, here we come...

 

Speaking as a Phoenix resident, I see several problems with this plan.

 

1. It's not in Pheoenix. It's not even near Phoenix. Eloy is about an hour outside of Phoenix. Outside of the edge of town, that is. Driving through traffic from the center of Phoenix or the airport could easily make that a 2.5 hour drive into the middle of nowhere. There's NO local draw from Eloy, as only about 10,000 people live in that area, and they're more "The Hills Have Eyes" kind of folks as opposed to "Theme Park Visitor" folks. (No offense to anyone that lives there if you're reading this, lol.)

 

2. It's hot as hell here (it can get up to about 126 in the summer), so the park would have to work on some type of reverse-season schedule. Most of the tourists coming to Arizona that time of year are elderly snowbirds who aren't going to queue for a hyper-coaster.

 

3. It seems that without an intellectual property stockpile, building a Rock n' Roll themed park would require MASSIVE royalties in order to get any music, celebrity likenesses, or anything... well... rock n' roll related.

 

I still support the plan, but only because I look forward to exploring the Decades Ghost Town in a a few years when it's shuttered.

[QueerRudie]

Legend City v2.0, here we come...

 

Speaking as a Phoenix resident, I see several problems with this plan.

 

1. It's not in Pheoenix. It's not even near Phoenix. Eloy is about an hour outside of Phoenix. Outside of the edge of town, that is. Driving through traffic from the center of Phoenix or the airport could easily make that a 2.5 hour drive into the middle of nowhere. There's NO local draw from Eloy, as only about 10,000 people live in that area, and they're more "The Hills Have Eyes" kind of folks as opposed to "Theme Park Visitor" folks. (No offense to anyone that lives there if you're reading this, lol.)

 

2. It's hot as hell here (it can get up to about 126 in the summer), so the park would have to work on some type of reverse-season schedule. Most of the tourists coming to Arizona that time of year are elderly snowbirds who aren't going to queue for a hyper-coaster.

 

3. It seems that without an intellectual property stockpile, building a Rock n' Roll themed park would require MASSIVE royalties in order to get any music, celebrity likenesses, or anything... well... rock n' roll related.

 

I still support the plan, but only because I look forward to exploring the Decades Ghost Town in a a few years when it's shuttered.

 

No kidding on that one. Living on the FAR western edge of PHX, to go there would be a -good- 1.5-2.0 hrs from my doorstep- provided that I-10 isn't closed due to construction or there is traffic along the way. Negative point on that one.

 

But then again, I went to the Renaisance (sp?) festival last weekend, and was amazed to see how many people were crammed in for a cloudy day and with rain/drizzle along the way. It was PACKED. And the mix of people there was good as well: a solid representation of all age groups and income ranges, the best mix for a theme park to have. There is room for a park in AZ, but they need to consder moving it to either Tucson or Phoenix -FIRST- then go for the park concept. I've always wanted to have the money to do a park there right- a nice, indoor park with air conditioning- even as much as I enjoy the summer there.

[ajinaz]

Still moving forward.

Senate backs financing bill for Eloy rock 'n roll theme park

 

03:19 PM MST on Wednesday, March 19, 2008

 

Associated Press

 

PHOENIX (AP) -- The Senate on Wednesday gave preliminary approval to a bill allowing public bond financing for a proposed rock 'n' roll theme park in Eloy but rejected efforts to make developers foot more of the bill.

 

The bill would create a special district to issue up to $750 million of revenue bonds to help pay for the $800 million project along Interstate 10 in Pinal County. The park would have rock-themed rides as well as a luxury hotel and retail space.

 

The proposed district would repay the bonds using taxes collected from park patrons. Investors would first have to come up with at least $100 million of their own financing.

 

The Senate rejected an amendment to raise the private financing requirement to half the project's cost.

 

Supporters called the project a possible economic boon to the state and said the plan contains ample protections for taxpayers.

 

"I don't care what they do if they're going to be providing jobs," said Sen. Robert Blendu, R-Litchfield Park. "Our risk is zero."

 

Some critics labeled the project a giveaway, and Republican Sen. Ron Gould of Lake Havasu City even said the proposed public involvement in a private development project constituted facism.

 

Senate approval of the bill (SB1450) came on a formal vote would send the bill to the House.

 

http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/0319rocknroll-ON.html

[ajinaz]

No one goes to AZ to vacation? AZ has a huge tourism industry! especially the Scottsdale/Biltmore area of Phoenix which is rapidly becoming Spa city. Plus every year we get tons of snowbirds and winter visitors. Sedona is also a huge destination spot. I actually think the location of the park could be good because analysts predict that within the next 10 years Phoenix and Tucson will merge to become one giant metro area like New York, LA or Jacksonville-Miami. I think its a decent concept although It would be awesome if they could affiliate with the Hard Rock group, its a much stronger brand name and has much better marketing appeal.

 

And an element that is being forgotten is the proximity to Mexico. There is a shopping mall in Tempe (right outside of Phoenix) that is PACKED with people from Mexico on the weekends and they are spending U.S. money like it's going out of style. Unless you live near the border, most people don't realize that Mexicans are quite good at saving up for fun stuff to do as a family. When they go out it seems that money is no object.

[gnewton34]

Wow, there's a mass abundance of water rides in the concept art. Guess they were factoring in the heat.

[haux]

I still have my doubts. The Legislature OK'd funding projects for an amusement park to be build near Williams, which is near the Grand Canyon. They wanted people heading to Las Vegas to come spend money in the state. But I haven't heard anything about that project in a few years.

 

And gnewton34, duh. I just wonder if they can provide adequate shade. You simply can't have big open midways in Arizona like at a Cedar Fair park. Even in the shade, it'll be 95 degrees in July and August.

[gnewton34]

Duh? I was just making an observation. It didn't really need a snarky response. Thanks.

[ajinaz]

I still have my doubts. The Legislature OK'd funding projects for an amusement park to be build near Williams, which is near the Grand Canyon.

 

There is no doubt that this thing is a long,long way from reality.

 

I do think that many people have a mis-conception about Arizona resorts. My wife worked for many years at the Arizona Biltmore which is considered an old people resort. In the high season (January-April) this place is crawling with kids. Dad golfs, mom shops and the kids hang at the pool. I could envision shuttles running from all the resorts down to a theme park.

 

As for the summer heat. I don't care what the owners say about heat indexes and what not. The bottom line is that standing in direct sunlight in the summer in central/southern Arizona is absolutely brutal! I wonder how it would be if they opened at 6 AM in July and August. Many attractions like the zoos do that now.

[decadesrocks]

Thanks to your input the Arizona State Senate passed Senate Bill 1450 last week by a 17-11 vote. This will facilitate the construction and financing of Decades Music Theme Park here in Arizona!

 

Now the bill goes to the Arizona House of Representatives and we need your help to get it passed there before it goes to the Governor's Desk.

 

All of this is happening quickly. Please email the following members of the Arizona House Commerce Committee today! We need a big victory there to keep the momentum going.

 

Their emails are below. Please include a subject line referencing

"Support for SB1450 and Decades Music Theme Park." Thank you for all

your support.

 

eableser@azleg.gov, kadams@azleg.gov, malvarez@azleg.gov, manderson@azleg.gov, rbarnes@azleg.gov, nbarto@azleg.gov,

abiggs@azleg.gov, tboone@azleg.gov, dbradley@azleg.gov, jbrown@azleg.gov, jburges@azleg.gov, ocajerobedford@azleg.gov,

chcampbell@azleg.gov, clcampbell@azleg.gov, tchabin@azleg.gov, dclark@azleg.gov, rcrandall@azleg.gov, scrump@azleg.gov,

mdesimone@azleg.gov, sfarley@azleg.gov, adriggs@azleg.gov, efarnsworth@azleg.gov, sgallardo@azleg.gov, mgarcia@azleg.gov,

tgroe@azleg.gov, phershberger@azleg.gov, jkavanagh@azleg.gov, bkonopnicki@azleg.gov, plopes@azleg.gov, llopez@azleg.gov,

dlujan@azleg.gov, lmason@azleg.gov, mmcclure@azleg.gov, jmccomish@azleg.gov, bmcguire@azleg.gov, nmclain@azleg.gov,

rmeza@azleg.gov, bmiranda@azleg.gov, rmurphy@azleg.gov, jnelson@azleg.gov, wnichols@azleg.gov, lpancrazi@azleg.gov,

jpaton@azleg.gov, rpearce@azleg.gov, tprezelski@azleg.gov, mreagan@azleg.gov, prios@azleg.gov, brobson@azleg.gov,

dschapira@azleg.gov, ksinema@azleg.gov, bstump@azleg.gov, jthrasher@azleg.gov, atobin@azleg.gov, atom@azleg.gov,

tulmer@azleg.gov, jpweiers@azleg.gov, syarbrough@azleg.gov, nyoungwright@azleg.gov, kschofield@roseandallynpr.com

 

Go to www.DecadesUSA.com for more information.

[Sgt. Fox]

Wow. He came on here and created an account just to canvass for legislative support? Stay classy man.

 

I'm an Arizona resident and don't support your bid for a theme park. I have no problem with you building a park, but you need to do it with your own money. Please stop trying to take my money away through the government to do it. Thanks.

[ghost007jas]

I emailed them all showing my support for your project.

 

Good luck!

[JimmyBo]

Having just gone to Castles and Coasters again this past weekend I've come to realize that we definitely need another park in AZ. CnC sucks! Hopefully Decades will become a reality and I will be more than happy to be a part of the team if it does become a reality. It's good to hear that this bill has passed and it's all a matter of time before they actually start moving dirt at the proposed site.

 

I think this will be a great idea for Arizona.

[ArizonaResident2]

Wow. He came on here and created an account just to canvass for legislative support? Stay classy man.

 

I'm an Arizona resident and don't support your bid for a theme park. I have no problem with you building a park, but you need to do it with your own money. Please stop trying to take my money away through the government to do it. Thanks.

 

I am with SGT. Fox...this park wants to create a 9% inside the park tax revenue to have the visitors to the park pay for their venture...its a good thing the House of Representatives of Arizona are looking out for the people of Arizona...

 

There is another theme park being considered in the area...it is called Coyote Canyon Theme Park, Coyote City Walk and Resort Hotel...this is being accomplished through private funds...

 

www.coyotecanyonthemepark.com

 

Below is an article that was just recently released.

 

Theme park faces opposition in House

April 24th, 2008 @ 3:34pm

by Associated Press

 

A bill to help finance a theme park proposed for the Pinal County community of Eloy (Decades) faces stiff opposition in the state House.

The bill has already been approved by the Senate but representative after representative rose during debate Thursday to denounce the proposal as an improper mixing of government and business.

 

The bill would create a special district that would have the power to levy taxes (9%) on transactions in the theme park so that the tax revenue would be used to repay private investors.

 

Legislators differ on whether there'd be any risk to the state or Eloy taxpayers, but supporters of the bill call it a potentially valuable economic development tool.

 

The bill awaits action by the full House.

[ajinaz]

This project keeps moving ahead. I'm just waiting for the whole thing to fall apart. If you look at the picture in the article it looks like a swimming pool and a hotel. Where's the theme park?

 

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0625themepark0625.html

 

Text of article:

 

Senate OKs theme-park project

Lure of new jobs, economic activity wins narrow majority

 

Matthew Benson

The Arizona Republic

Jun. 25, 2008 12:00 AM

State lawmakers signed off on legislation Tuesday to enable the development of a rock-and-roll theme park in Pinal County.

 

Senate Bill 1450, approved on a final Senate vote of 17-9, now is headed to Gov. Janet Napolitano.

 

If the measure becomes law, it would help give the green light to construction of the planned Decades Music Theme Park in Eloy, along Interstate 10 and about halfway between downtown Phoenix and Tucson.

 

 

Developers, as yet unnamed, would be granted authority to create a 950-acre "special attraction district" and issue up to $750 million in revenue bonds. They'd be required to raise $100 million privately in order to access the bonds.

 

Supporters painted the project as a means to encourage economic growth in a part of the state that hasn't seen much in recent years. Developers hope to open Decades by summer 2012, paying off the revenue bonds through sales taxes assessed on visitors to the park and special district.

 

But critics called SB 1450 a government giveaway, noting that the theme park would be exempt from property taxes. Others worried that the state could be liable for the bonds if the project falls through, and that a parade of other development interests now will come to the Capitol seeking similar financial arrangements for their projects.

 

SB 1450 supporters insist that language within the legislation is ironclad in its protection of state interests: "There is no liability to the taxpayer," said Senate Majority Leader Thayer Verschoor, R-Gilbert. "If (the theme park) doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. Nothing is lost. If this is successful, it creates thousands of jobs and brings in millions of dollars to the state."

 

The legislation has been contentious from the start, and Tuesday's Senate debate was no different. Sen. Pamela Gorman, R-Anthem, called the proposal "an embarrassing move on the part of this Legislature," and Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City, likened it to a "shell game with the public."

 

The lure of new jobs and economic activity won over a narrow majority of the Senate, though. Project backers expect it to create 3,000 jobs while it's under construction and about 5,000 once it opens.

[btp1]

Here's a very rough overview of what the park may look like. It's more a pencil sketch rather than any kind of rendering, but it at least gives you some kind of idea what they are going for. I can count what appears to be three or four major coasters, but who really knows what will happen at this point.

 

www.decadesusa.com/conceptual-overview/images/AerialView.jpg

[alpengeist04]

If the park gets built, I really hope they stay with this pencil rendering. It looks like it could be a very cool park. I'm just worried they would start cutting corners and we would end up with one average B&M and four mediocre family coasters.