News: Amusement park proposed in Tulsa, but opposed by city

[Shavethewhales]

Living in OK, seeing any headline with the words "amusement park" in it is bound to immediately set my hair on end. So you can imagine my surprise to see this article come out today:

 

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20120220_334_0_MayorD4143

...

 

Mayor Dewey Bartlett and the executive director of River Parks on Monday came out in opposition to a proposed amusement park at Turkey Mountain.

 

“The mayor agrees with (Councilor) Jeannie Cue that this is a natural wildlife area and recognizes the need to preserve it,” said Lloyd Wright, the mayor’s press secretary.

 

In a posting on the River Park’s website, executive director Matt Meyer said, “River Parks does not support the Tulsa Harbour development proposal.”

 

River Parks owns portions of Turkey Mountain and leases other portions from the city.

 

A developer has floated a proposal to various officials about an amusement park, but specific details were not available Monday morning.

...

 

This seems strange to me, seeing as the area in question is already surrounded by development. If this were a new walmart or target, I'm sure there would be absolutely no question about it being built. I think this city has a sour taste in it's mouth from the whole Bell's fiasco (which is still on-going in a somewhat comic fashion). Here is an overview of the proposed site: http://maps.google.com/?ll=36.065128,-95.989008&spn=0.015333,0.027595&t=h&z=15

[cal1br3tto]

Well, hopefully it was one of those grandiose proposals that never would've stood a chance under any circumstances, rather than a sound idea blocked only by the city. Or, better yet, hopefully they do manage to find some success.

[Shavethewhales]

I've had time to do a little more digging, and I've found that this is all a part of a plan called the "Tulsa Harbour Development Proposal". I've posted a blurry concept pic below (haven't found a clearer version yet).

 

I can't find much info on it yet for some reason, but it sounds like some kind of Branson-Landing type development with big amusement rides. Some people are trying to compare it to Frontier City... no wonder they aren't impressed.

 

Turkey Mountain is a little more interesting than I had thought though, apparently it's full of trails and activity courses and is actually a more family friendly environment than some would suggest. Of course with major greenspaces you'll always have some issues, but it's good to hear a lot of people actually enjoy the space. It sounds like there's going to be some conflict over the location if they try to build here, so I hope they can find a better spot, like maybe upriver closer to Sand Springs.

 

From what I can make out of the concept sketch, it looks like they want to build some major rides. Unfortunately, these kinds of proposals never make it through, so my hopes aren't high.

 

Edit: There's a lot of information on this facebook page. Apparently a lot of the details haven't even been released to the public yet, but activists are spreading the word so they can protect the area: http://www.facebook.com/turkeymountain?filter=1

[Shavethewhales]

Update in case anyone's interested: you can see more of the plans and hear a little from the developer here: http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20120221_16_A1_CUTLIN381030

 

I like how some of the concept art is literally just a bunch of poorly photoshopped coasters thrown over a boardwalk area. Looks like Nitro, X2, and the Coney Island Cyclone are all going to be featured.

 

Looking at the actual site plan I can barely make out what appears to be a short custom looping coaster layout with a cobra roll and dive loop (G-fighter?), and maybe a vekoma roller skater. The water park is actually much larger than the amusement park side. What really gets my attention is how much parking they're going to build. Keep in mind all this terrain is currently a very steep hill, so the amount of terraforming required for this is huge.

 

All-in-all, after looking at these plans and hearing the developer for the first time, I've already lost all hope. Looks like another pipe-dream "build it and they will come" type of proposal with a ton of amenities all thrown together on some random piece of land.

 

The developers are still quiet because they this all blew up in their faces. They weren't ready to make an announcement, somebody uncovered their plans and spilled it to the media and a huge backlash has started and all the local political figures are retreating from the project as fast as they can.

[chadster]

^I've seen the plans as part of my job. I can tell you 100% that it will not be built where they want to build it and the builder refuses to consider any other site which is crazy because other sites exist that are close to major highways and portray a similar setting.

 

Major problems include 1. It's a designated Wilderness area, 2. Bald Eagles, and 3. Tons of high voltage power lines run multiple ways throughout the mountain from the nearby power plant, 4. Housing is across the street and they almost always put up a fight.

 

A MUCH better option would be to incorporate it in to the bankrupt and "ready for sheriff's sale" Riverwalk Crossing, but I don't see that happening either. That site was actually surveyed a while back and with the appropriate approvals from the COE it can be done but again, not likely.

 

As far as Bell's, that was a county decision, the city had nothing to do with it. I will admit that I was highly upset with my employer's decision even knowing the true reasons, sadly, it was not handled properly and people have a sour taste in their mouths. The Bell family had ample opportunity to move and GROW their business starting in the late 90's but they chose not to. One site offered was across from NSU Broken Arrow complete with their own Creek turnpike exit. Now all of their remaining stuff sits in tractor trailers minus the few rides at the flea market that I've yet to see run. Bottom line they were not making money hand over fist like they should have, survived bankruptcy twice, and almost didn't survive the last one had it not been for State Rep Kevin Easily. Ever wonder why they sold their original carousel and swinging horse thing? They were broke.

 

The people of and surrounding Tulsa will support an amusement park, it just needs to be in the right location.

 

Edited to say - hope this didn't come off as rude, it wasn't meant to be