Theme park

[RoyalShock]

They apparently missed a deadline to close on the park. I assume those can also be extended.

Maybe they really did act so quickly just to bring in another qualified buyer, but reading between the lines it sure sounds like they've soured on Murphy and prefer the "local" guy.

[SubGod22]

I doubt Wink keeps the park. From what I've heard he probably plans on developing something else.

[SubGod22]

The Saga Continues

[SubGod22]

The Saga Continues to Continue

[Veritas]

Whatever they do, they need trees, trees, and more trees providing a lot of shade. Additionally, move the Joyland roller coaster to the "WWW" and keep some local history going (I wonder how much of that old wood has rotted away), and grab that freaky organ playing clown with the hands that move side to side.
I'm surprised Joyland didn't grow. It has history, and some decent rides. Must be the location and lack of marketing that led to its demise.

[Downtown Shocker Brown]

http://www.kansas.com/business/updates/story/438622.html

Sold to highest bidder that plans to try to open this year.

[RoyalShock]

Good to hear they are going to get right on it.

It sounds like the Tulsa group had some sour grapes when they wouldn't offer more than their original bid. Although, I understand their frustration with Park City's catering to Hartman instead of working with them after missing the closing deadline.

[Downtown Shocker Brown]

Well, they are sour now because they COULD have closed on time if they had any sense of urgency. Instead, they were shopping for the best rates, waiting for interest cuts, and thinking that everyone was going to be glad they came in and bought it.

I firmly believe Hartman stepped in only to kick them in the butt to help keep interest in the area for his arena. That it is going to a larger, deep-pocketed company vs. one searching for financing as hard as Murphy Bros were, is also very beneficial to Hartman, Park City, and everyone else.

[SubGod22]

I hope the park is reopened and run properly. I still fear they'll keep it way too simple and it will be no better than another Joyland or something.

[vbird53]

I hope the park is reopened and run properly. I still fear they'll keep it way too simple and it will be no better than another Joyland or something.

Even if they add to it year by year, it'd be better than nothing.




But, they need a coaster. Seriously.

[SubGod22]

But, they need a coaster. Seriously.

:yes:

[Downtown Shocker Brown]

Even Thomas Etheridge knew that. He had "planned" on having one in the building stages after Season 1, but as we all know that wound up not working out.

The space is there, and it will be easily noticable from the highway (anyone else unable to not glace at Frontier in OKC as they drive by and wish they had time to stop and go on one?) and with the support of the people that want there to be 7 world-class roller coasters, and once they are built will complain that the cost of admission has raised to support the cost of these coasters and then boycott, we will finally have something to be proud of in Wichita.

[RoyalShock]

Well, they are sour now because they COULD have closed on time if they had any sense of urgency. Instead, they were shopping for the best rates, waiting for interest cuts, and thinking that everyone was going to be glad they came in and bought it.

I think the reason the Murphy's didn't make their closing date is they were trying to bolster their group by bringing in some local investors. Since they were the only ones showing interest, they probably felt that the tradeoff of bringing the local guys on vs. missing the deadline was worth it. I don't think they arrogantly missed it and were genuinely trying to put together the best investment group they could. If that's the case, Park City should have worked with them instead of putting out the perception they were getting fully behind Hartman. That was a mistake, IMO. It ended up working out, but could have backfired as well. When you have a buyer with a solid plan and working diligently to move forward, you don't bail out, or give the impression you're bailing out, just because they missed one deadline.

I've thought the Park City council has been too entangled in all of these commercial pursuits since they started down the road of becoming the entertainment capitol of Sedgwick Co. The way they (mayor included) handled the missed deadline didn't help them gain any respect from me, not that they or anyone else cares, of course.

Regardless of the outcome, I'm glad something is finally going to happen. I'd like to have a park like that to take my kids without spending an extra $20 in gas, food and hotel to drive to KC or OKC.

[jazztrane]

Royal my perception is about in line with yours regarding the Park City "leadership." I live in Park City so I get to see the commission on the Park City channel and its really a joke. I don't think any of them (well at least most of them) have the knowledge or background to lead a growing city that's sitting on a lot of hot I-35 corrider property. Everything from the dog track to the Coliseum to WWW has been mis-handled and despite having prime real estate they issue bonds and tax abatements to anyone who walks in the door.

The other thing that I think stinks about this deal is the Casino aspect. Everyone knows that 'ol Dee got elected mayor by saying she'd get a casino to Park City and has failed to do so. You should have seen some of the meetings last year when Sedgwick Co. failed to pass the referendum allowing it, several of them just whined and cried about how we'd "missed the boat" and now the casino was gone. Instead of looking for REAL economic development they just believe the casino will be the answer to all their woes. In light of that, this appears somewhat to me that as soon as this new suitor showed up with long term plans of a casino, did they look for any loophole to get out of the Tulsa deal? I have no evidence to show that but it sure seems a little fishy as in love with a casino Dee Stuart is that after being so excited to work with the Tulsa group almost instantly she turns on them and wants to bring in this new group, who coincidentally has long term plans for gambling.

Personally I think Park City needs to clean house and change its name-as long as they keep making decisions like this "Park City" is just going to be known for a gambling mayor, failed businesses and BTK. :(