robbalvey Posted June 3, 2006 Posted June 3, 2006 http://www.tulsaworld.com/NewsStory.asp?ID=060603_Ne_A1_pstxc15790 Bell's Amusement Park and the surrounding neighborhood finally appear to be on the same track after a twisting and turning five-year ride in court over construction of a new roller coaster. District Judge David Peterson on Friday signed a settlement agreement in which the neighborhood agreed to support the new ride as long as it is built east of the Zingo roller coaster and within Bell's existing park boundaries. A neighborhood representative will show support for the ride before the county Board of Adjustment within 30 days when Bell's makes another request for a special exception to permit the ride. Neighbors also have agreed not to appeal the Board of Adjustment's decision. A 9 p.m. curfew would remain in place, except during the fair. But after the ride is built, Bell's could seek different hours of operation and the neighborhood would be permitted to oppose the hours. Originally, the Bell family wanted to expand the park and erect the ride in an area west of the Zingo which is used as a parking lot along Louisville Avenue, a residential street. Bell's offered to enclose the ride in buildings to cut down on noise, but the neighbors could not be persuaded. Bell's received a special exception from the Board of Adjustment in a 3-2 vote in October 2001, which prompted the Midtown Neighborhood Alliance to appeal in district court, where the case was tied up for years. "We've won -- after five years and thousands of dollars in lawyers fees on both sides," said Bill Weinrich, president of the Sunrise Terrace Neighborhood Association. "This is what we've wanted in the first place. We always said just put the roller coaster inland." Building the ride west of Zingo would have put a major new ride on the front porches of people living along Louisville, Weinrich said. "We finally tuckered them out and they thought they'd tucker us out," he said. Bell's President Robby Bell said he found out last winter after being approached by engineers with the Gravity Group of Cincinnati that a new roller coaster could be configured in the small, shady space of the old miniature golf course. The latest technology in designing amusement rides is to pair wooden tracks and supports with galvanized metal, which allows for a smaller footprint, he said. It's too soon to say how big or tall the ride will actually be, but Bell said it would cross over itself many times and possibly go underground. It will be a twister-like ride with high-speed bank turns, as opposed to the traditional "out-and-back" layout of the Zingo.
apollo210 Posted June 3, 2006 Posted June 3, 2006 WOW! This was the last thing on my mind! Bell's getting a new Coaster from GG! I hope it does get built. THis would be GG's First twister!
rollermonkey Posted June 4, 2006 Posted June 4, 2006 I was just talking to a guy about this park the other night. Sounds like a fun addition to 'Date Night'!
DerekRx Posted June 5, 2006 Posted June 5, 2006 Well, hopefully this comes true. With this news, I think I'm going to put my Oklahoma trip on hold for a few more years...
crispy Posted June 5, 2006 Posted June 5, 2006 AWESOME, I actually have family near thier, so hopefully they build it fast, so I can "visit" my family
Jon Sabo Posted June 6, 2006 Posted June 6, 2006 It's becoming a real fine line between themepark owners and residential protests in finding common ground when it comes to new installations (especially rollercoasters). I believe the technology has advanced enough to help "muffle" some of the ride noises created, but residents still have alot of political clout in shooting down projects. Example-DP Talon. B&M has greatly modified the wheel material, the gearbox (sound), the sand within the track, and especially the new nylon/polyeurethane material for the chain dog and rollback dogs. All to satisfy the nearby neighbors. When I worked for BGE, I recall how many times I have attended public round-table forums when the park wished to install a new ride (and rollercoasters). One hot-debate was the DF installation, which ALMOST never happened. I can see both sides of the issue, but in defense of the park(s), I often wonder the mental status of the residents who continue to build houses almost DIRECTLY in the path of a potential sound-zone conflit. And, especially here on Maui, why the hell do people STILL complain about golf courses (damage from the players golf balls) when residents continue to build houses ALONG the golf course (as well as those who build houses within the sound-confines of a local amusement park). Will the madness ever end? lol
Shockwave Posted June 7, 2006 Posted June 7, 2006 As well as the new coaster getting announced, a big storm has hit and gone right over the park. A couple of rides have been quite badly damaged. http://www.kotv.com/news/?105568 The Tulsa County fairgrounds were hit hard by a severe thunderstorm Tuesday morning. Several buildings at the fairgrounds have roof damage and no electricity. News on 6 reporter Jennifer Loren says the Ferris wheel at Bells Amusement Park was damaged. It is basically been folded in half. Bells' owner says this is the worst storm to come through here in more than 20 years. The Zingo is also damaged with an uprooted tree now lying across its tracks. The owner says there is so much damage, its going to take a while to survey everything and come up with a game plan for the future. Big Splash is also closed. Debris filled their pools and clogged the pumps. They're hoping for electricity some time soon to get things up and running. There was no apparent damage to the Expo Center, but over at Fair Meadows, part of the grandstand roof is gone. The opening race is 2 days away and they had to cancel Tuesday's practice races. Jockey Randy Wilson: “it slowed up the training process for a lot of people. But you know if a horse really isn't fit by this time of the year, they're not going to be fit. So a day or two is not going to hurt them." The manager of Fair Meadows says no matter what, they will be ready for Thursday's opening. Big Splash also hopes to be open by Thursday. But it appears Bells was the hardest hit. They plan to call a news conference in the next couple of days to announce their plans for re-opening the park.
apollo210 Posted June 8, 2006 Posted June 8, 2006 That's sa to see Bell's get hit by a bad storm . I feel sorry for them and hope they can get the park back up and running again.
coaster1 Posted August 17, 2006 Posted August 17, 2006 http://www.tulsaworld.com/EmailStoryDisplay.asp?ID=060816_Ne_A9_Count42570 Bell's: Roller Coaster: County approves new rideBy SUSAN HYLTON World Staff Writer 8/16/2006 View in Print (PDF) Format The Board of Adjustment gives the amusement park a special exception to build a second coaster. After nearly five years and an extended legal battle, Bell's Amusement Park was given the final approval Tuesday to build a second roller coaster with a hard-earned endorsement from nearby residents. The county Board of Adjustment unanimously granted a special exception that will allow Bell's to build its new ride as well as replace other rides and buildings. Bell's has pledged to erect the ride within its existing lease lines at Expo Square, sandwiched between the wooden Zingo roller coaster and the Exposition Center. Nearly five years ago, Bell's wanted to lease land west of the Zingo to build the ride along Louisville Avenue, a residential street. The board narrowly approved the proposal by a 3-2 vote, but the positioning of the ride closer to residents provoked staunch opposition and an appeal in Tulsa County District Court. Bell's lost a summary judgment in district court because Expo Square's comprehensive plan designates that area for low-intensity use. Bell's appealed, and the state Court of Civil Appeals reversed the ruling, saying the plan is meant as a guide and did not have the legal rule of law. Finally, the neighbors and the park's owners worked on a solution. The neighbors agreed not to fight a new ride if it would be built within the park's existing lease lines. Bell's attorney, Roy Johnsen, said the ride can be erected in a small space using new technology that implements a metal support structure, which requires less space. Tuesday's Board of Adjustment hearing did not have a fraction of the emotion heard nearly five years ago when residents complained about declining property values, noise and traffic. "I hope that I can be one of the first people to ride the new roller coaster," said Scott Trizza, a property owner. "I'm glad we finally reached an agreement on it so that we can move on and Bell's can move on." Resident Bob Purtam said he still worries about noise, parking and traffic on Louisville. Johnsen said the main noise factor in the area is 21st Street itself and that the noise of a new ride would be insignificant because it will be east of the Zingo. In addition, not all of the traffic on Louisville represents Bell's patrons; the fairgrounds hosts numerous other events, he said. William Weinrich, president of the Sunrise Terrace Association, said all of the appellants in the case agreed to the new positioning of the ride. "It's what we wanted them to do five years ago," he said. "We're all for it." Board members said they like the layout and the fact that the two parties had worked together to reach a solution. Member David Charney commended Bell's for its reinvestment in the community. "It's not always easy to make that decision," he said. The new ride will operate under the same rules as the Zingo, meaning it won't run past 9 p.m. except during the Tulsa State Fair. The new roller coaster's tight quarters will make for an extremely exciting ride, Bell's President Robby Bell said following the meeting. "It will be a completely different profile than Zingo. It has zero crossovers, and this ride will have about a dozen," he said. "It's extremely thrilling when a ride has crossovers." The next step for Bell's is to present a business plan to the fair board and secure an extension of its lease, which expires after this year's fair in October. County Commissioner Wilbert Collins said he wants to see Bell's business plan and any other plans it has in mind to spruce up the park, which is showing signs of age. Started by Bell's grandfather, Robert Bell, the park has been at the fairgrounds since 1951. Susan Hylton 581-8313 susan.hylton@tulsaworld.com
ECZenith Posted August 17, 2006 Posted August 17, 2006 Very good news, thanks for poasting! Good to see there will be at least a couple new wooden coasters come next year.
coaster1 Posted August 17, 2006 Posted August 17, 2006 ^ Don't hold your breathe for 2007 .. it's most likely 2008 as they have to secure a long term lease with the fairgrounds first and then design the ride, etc.
Shavethewhales Posted August 25, 2006 Posted August 25, 2006 YAY, I have waited SOOOOOOO long for them to do this. I live 45 mins away, and I go to the park 2-3 times a year, but after so many years of going back to the same rides, it was getting old. btw, apparently they just built a new roto-plane ride in place of the old ferris wheel - bonus!
coaster1 Posted August 30, 2006 Posted August 30, 2006 ^ there is no "set" design. They haven't secured a long-term lease yet with the fairgrounds, so if they don't .. no new coaster, but possible new location sans Zingo.
Shavethewhales Posted August 30, 2006 Posted August 30, 2006 are you sure? I thought that was one of the topics that was evened out when bell's re-applead to have the new coaster built... anyway I'm sure they'll get it if they havent already.
coaster1 Posted August 31, 2006 Posted August 31, 2006 No, it was clearly stated in the article they are looking to first secure a long-term lease since the fairgrounds are run by another group other than the city. If they don't get the long term lease .. they will move. The appeal was due to the residents, not cause of the fairgrounds.
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