DNR on Amusement Park

[MiniJ]

News from Lansing today:

DNR Director On Up North Amusement Park
Admittedly, she was surprised when she first heard of the proposal. Now Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director Rebecca HUMPHRIES (http://www.mirsnews.com/lob_bio.php?cid=686) confessed she remains to be convinced a full-scale Disney World-like amusement park could be built near Grayling.

Developers have floated the idea to construct a year-round facility near the Au Sable River. They contend if they build it, the fun-loving public will come. Humphries is not so sure.

"We need a lot more information," she explained, regarding the "long-term financial viability" of the project. Putting on her DNR hat, Humphries said she wants to make sure the "holy water" in the region can be protected from groundwater run off and other ecological concerns before her department signs off.

While the park may seem far-fetched to some, Humphries said critics in Kissimmee, Fla., may have had the same attitude when a guy named Disney converted some vacant land into you know what.

[WhiteRhino]

Interesting.....

I guess I have a couple first reactions. Seems to me that all of the parks of that magnitude need to be open year round to be profitable. With the northern MI climate, that may be difficult.

Second, I wonder how many acres of pristine land will be turned into asphalt parking lots, but how dare we want to ride 2-tracks. If this actually takes off, I would love to put together a cronology of photos showing what they started with & what they destroyed. All for the sake of the all mighty dollar.

[300Grand]

If I remember correctly for when I first heard of this an number of months ago, I think the developer wants the DNR to sell them 1800 acres of forest land. They also want the DNR to take a number of private parcels inside of that 1800 acres by way of eminent domain. I think the price they referenced was something like 3 to 4 million. I figure that the "Jenny and Becky Show" (a.k.a. the Gov and DNR) would blindly leap at 3 to 4 million right now! Besides Becky Humphries only cares about how she can make money selling off the States natural resources to big business.

Oh, and the developer wants the state to take the $25 million hit for infrastructure .

[RockyTop]

They already circumvented a vote to allow Ice Mountain Water to tap the aquifer in Evart. Jenny allowed this "dodge" to work in their favor.

[Rattler]

I am really not a big fan of this idea. Its Mike Illitch's son that wants to start it.

[T-way]

If you're familiar with Disney World....it was actually built on top of a swamp!! The swamp was drained, and built up. The entire operation runs from UNDER the park, which sits 14 feet above the level of surrounding ground in order for the elaborate tunnel and room complex under the park, which allows people and services to run under the park.

I live 30 miles from Grayling, so am somewhat familiar with this proposed amusement park project (although by no means an expert). I have never heard the name Illitch associated with the project.

Yes....they are proposing buying 1800 acres of essentially vacant land from the DNR (who had absolutely no plans for the property) to build the park. No mention has been made of taking private land through eminent domain.

The park, as proposed, will be open year round. They are building a large shopping area, and an indoor arcade where up to 500 people could play (some games) against each other at one time. A ramp park will be built, and it will be designed so as to be flooded for snowboarding in the winter. They are also proposing a track that could be used for snowcross etc. in the winter.

The amusement rides, of course, will not be open in the winter. While the DNR will make some money from the sale of the land, it will also raise a HUGE tax base for the state (anybody remember how short of money this state is?), as well as put a HUGE economic boost into the town of Grayling.

And....(this is hard to believe but has been reported several times consistently in the local media).....they have stated that they will hire a couple of thousand employees (good jobs are scarce up here). AND ....(the hard to believe part)....they are claiming that skilled positions such as ride operators (roller coasters, etc.) will start at approximately $36,000 per year!!!

Now.....I agree that issues such as how this will affect the AuSable River and so forth need to be addressed (I have a degree in Biology), but if you lived up here and saw how the economy of northern Michigan was (I know the entire states economy sucks...but it's worse up here with the lack of jobs, etc.).......you wouldn't just automatically condemn this as a greedy act by the State! I work for the State, and I know they have problems, but not everything that the State does is a bad thing!!!

Sorry for the long post. Just trying to shed some light on the situation!

Please don't hit me too hard in the head with your replies!!!!

:soap:

[joe_jeep]

Interesting.....

I guess I have a couple first reactions. Seems to me that all of the parks of that magnitude need to be open year round to be profitable. With the northern MI climate, that may be difficult.

i think cedar point makes a few bucks and they are not year around.

[WhiteRhino]

i think cedar point makes a few bucks and they are not year around.

Cedar point is a park that is centrally situated between several states. People travel there from east south and west (and Michigan which is northwest) Michigan on the other hand is surrounded by water east and west and the sourthern area would compete with Cedar Point.

Certainly not the same demographics.

[NewRide]

I would need more info before I formed an opinion......

[Trail_Fanatic]

I'm not anti-job, but I find that the older I get, the more anti-development I become.

I just want to see our population density and distribution return to about that of 1970 (Like that will ever happen, lol).

I'm sick of seeing the sprawl popping up EVERYWHERE, most of all up north.
That's where I go to get AWAY from all the sprawl and the crap that goes with it.

I guess I'm just being selfish, but I'd rather see the woods.

We all want our own version of our 'perfect' world.
Unfortunately, mine is a time, not a place; and that time passed 20 years ago.

Oh well. It's like Dad used to say:
Want in one hand, **** in the other, and see which one fills up first.

[Rattler]

Hey T-way, :hitwithrock: just kidding!

From what I understood it was they were only going to open it if the State gave them the land.

I remembered wher I saw the Illitch name tied to it. Sounds rumored heere though.
http://www.mybaycity.com/scripts/Article_View.cfm?ArticleID=1628&NewspaperID=366

[joe_jeep]

Cedar point is a park that is centrally situated between several states. People travel there from east south and west (and Michigan which is northwest) Michigan on the other hand is surrounded by water east and west and the sourthern area would compete with Cedar Point.

Certainly not the same demographics.

cedar point would be hard to compete with because of the name they have made for themselves as the number one big coaster park. where else can you go and ride that many top notch thrill rides in one day? definately
their location is a big plus for them too. tell the investors to put it in benton harbor or st. joes then they get the chicago crowd. being so far north in michigan will not help them, 4.5 hours north of the michigan border is a bit of a stretch for out staters.

[T-way]

First of all......the development is planned for an area where there is approximately 1800 acres of unused State land. The State will not be GIVING anything to the developers.....they will SELL it to them! This makes money for the State, and if you pay attention, you know that the State needs money!

You all make valid statements about Cedar Point. But....you need to also consider that this is not meant to compete with the Point. Northern Michigan is a HUGE tourist draw, all year 'round. This would draw on the crowds already coming here, and give them another option for vacation fun.

I'm not trying to argue with any of you......just trying to make you see that not everything that gets proposed is necessarily bad. Could this have negative ramifications on the AuSable River? Possibly....that's why impact studies will be done. Will it add to sprawl? Yes.....but those of you that live downstate need to remember that those of us up here depend on tourism to survive. And not everyone who comes up here comes to look at the woods!!! Remember.....I live up here because of 1. My job, and 2. I love the north country and scenery too!! I certainly don't want to see all of the trees cut down and everything paved over. BUT.....the locals up here don't all have the luxury of a State job like I have, and need more development (CONTROLLED!!!) to provide jobs and bring money into the area from the tourists!!!

Thanks for listening!!!

:blahblah::blahblah:

[joe_jeep]

there is a local snowmobile trail very near there. they could re route it a little and draw some of the snowmobilers for a nice place to stay. we ride right near there quite a bit. there are some nice places to stay, but i think this would be a step up from most. a place the kids can enjoy when the sleds are parked. parhaps a large heated parking area for sleds could help also. it could be a winter draw for the family snowmobile crowd.

[navy-jeepster]

As I have not lived in Michigan for a number of years, 23.5 to be exact, I am not sure what the demographics are for this area.
I would hope that the developer has done their homework on the area, and the crowd they plan to attract.

Not everyone from the local area will make 10 trips a year to the park. Disney survives by their name, and drawing people back to the park. I have friends that go there 3 or 4 times a year, because they like it.
One day passes are not that expensive for one or two people. I paid 320 bucks though for a three day hopper pass for Disney and California Adventure. Steep price to pay for really two days of fun. We drove down on a friday, and spent time in the park till they closed, and then all day Sat, and part of the day on Sunday before we drove back. This was for two adults. Kid tickets are a little cheaper, but not by much.
So, if the local job market is not very good, the local population may not be able to afford to enter the park. Unless they work there, and get discount tickets, as most parks do for their employee's and family.

This will have a huge impact on this part of the state with the increase in the tax base they will bring, and all the construction to make the park happen. The workers will have to stay and eat someplace for how ever long it takes to build.
The increase in the dollars deposited into the other services in the town will increase also at least 3 to 4 times the norm.

I am not saying that this park is a good or bad thing for the area, I just think it needs to be looked at reasonably.

Just my $.02.

Todd

[upchuck]

I'm not anti-job, but I find that the older I get, the more anti-development I become.

I just want to see our population density and distribution return to about that of 1970 (Like that will ever happen, lol).

I'm sick of seeing the sprawl popping up EVERYWHERE, most of all up north.
That's where I go to get AWAY from all the sprawl and the crap that goes with it.

I guess I'm just being selfish, but I'd rather see the woods.

We all want to like in our own version of a 'perfect' world.
Unfortunately, mine is a time, not a place; and that time passed 20 years ago.

Oh well. It's like Dad used to say:
Want in one hand, **** in the other, and see which one fills up first.
I'm the same. I also did my part by not being "fruitful and multiplying".

[Trail_Fanatic]

I'm the same. I also did my part by not being "fruitful and multiplying".


ZPG :thumb:

I had one kid to replace me and one to replace my wife.

I'm done.