Here we go again - Will a "theme park" work in AZ or not? (Phoenix: theatres, car tax)

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by asufan

An indoor water park could work here, if it is kept at that

Outdoor water parks do just fine here March thru October, they are quite crowded on the hottest days IME. Indoor ones do well in colder climates where the outdoor water park season is much shorter. (Memorial Day to Labor Day)

[JGMotorsport64]

Originally Posted by asufan

An indoor water park could work here, if it is kept at that

We have 3 outdoor water parks that work here?

More of you count the resorts.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by JGMotorsport64

We have 3 outdoor water parks that work here?

Right, but did you read where I didn't say outdoor, but actually said indoor?

The pic I quoted was an indoor water park, which is of course much more expensive to construct and operate. I am saying something like that could work here, as some would probably like to get out of the heat. I wouldn't put it all the way in Casa Grande though. Something like that with a much higher entrance charge but also not in line with a Disney amusement park would probably work.

[stevek64]

Originally Posted by asufan

Right, but did you read where I didn't say outdoor, but actually said indoor?

The pic I quoted was an indoor water park, which is of course much more expensive to construct and operate. I am saying something like that could work here, as some would probably like to get out of the heat. I wouldn't put it all the way in Casa Grande though. Something like that with a much higher entrance charge but also not in line with a Disney amusement park would probably work.

I have a feeling a big theme park area right in the Phoenix metro would face lots of resistance from residents, the NIMBY kind of thing. Even disneyworld in Orlando is really in the outskirts/quite a ways from downtown Orlando, about 40 minutes or so. Perhaps some of it is also a cheaper land thing but then again closer to Phoenix would have infrastructure that would be easier to tap into/cheaper.

But while I see where you're coming from in placing it a bit closer to Phoenix, Disneyworld from the Orlando Int airport is at least 30 minutes away so I'm not sure if 20 more minutes further, ie Phoenix to Casa is about 50 minutes on mapping, would really stress to many people out to not want to go there if it's done well.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by stevek64

I have a feeling a big theme park area right in the Phoenix metro would face lots of resistance from residents, the NIMBY kind of thing. Even disneyworld in Orlando is really in the outskirts/quite a ways from downtown Orlando. Perhaps some of it is also a cheaper land thing but then again closer to Phoenix would have infrastructure that would be easier to tap into/cheaper.

But while I see where you're coming from in placing it a bit closer to Phoenix, Disneyworld from the Orlando Int airport is at least 30 minutes away so I'm not sure if 20 more minutes further, ie Phoenix to Casa, would really stress to many people out to not want to go there.

I don't think it would be in city limits, but likely on one of the reservations if something like an indoor water park were ever built.

[stevek64]

Originally Posted by asufan

I don't think it would be in city limits, but likely on one of the reservations if something like an indoor water park were ever built.

Yep, I could see that on a reservation/would avoid several obstacles.

But I was thinking it would end up more likely in the outskirts of Phoenix in a suburb where there's lots of open land left, like the outskirt suburbs east/west of Phoenix. I could see resistance there.

[sh9730]

Well - regardless of whether it is viable or not - there will be resistance even here in Casa Grande. This project will buttress our most popular hiking trail system up Casa Grande Mountain. Some will not like the view below changing this much.

BUT, it was already zoned previously for a large community with commercial etc. so that ship may have already sailed.

Our council IS very job creating friendly though - as is our planning commission (the first step next week for this project) as well as "landowner rights" friendly.

But there are some who are not 100% for the urbanization of Casa Grande - and in addition to this project, along I 8 about 5 miles west will be the 2000 acre Attesa Racetrack Complex (Attesa.com | Official Attesa Motorsports Community) scheduled for completion of Phase one (the track and surroundings itself) by 2019. That project is currently outside the city limits however.

Some will voice opposition is my guess - but in the end from the city's perspective I am pretty confident it will be approved.

[cjseliga]

Originally Posted by ElleTea

Outdoor water parks do just fine here March thru October, they are quite crowded on the hottest days IME. Indoor ones do well in colder climates where the outdoor water park season is much shorter. (Memorial Day to Labor Day)

Very true. Where I grew up in Northeastern PA, they already have three indoor water parks (Great Wolf, Camelbeach, Kalahari) in the Poconos, including the largest indoor water park in the US constructed by Kalahari Resorts at 220,000 square feet. It's basically the new indoor water park capital of the US, serving all the people in the Philly to CT megalopolis area, and all seem to be doing just fine.

[JGMotorsport64]

Originally Posted by sh9730

Well - regardless of whether it is viable or not - there will be resistance even here in Casa Grande. This project will buttress our most popular hiking trail system up Casa Grande Mountain. Some will not like the view below changing this much.

BUT, it was already zoned previously for a large community with commercial etc. so that ship may have already sailed.

Our council IS very job creating friendly though - as is our planning commission (the first step next week for this project) as well as "landowner rights" friendly.

But there are some who are not 100% for the urbanization of Casa Grande - and in addition to this project, along I 8 about 5 miles west will be the 2000 acre Attesa Racetrack Complex (Attesa.com | Official Attesa Motorsports Community) scheduled for completion of Phase one (the track and surroundings itself) by 2019. That project is currently outside the city limits however.

Some will voice opposition is my guess - but in the end from the city's perspective I am pretty confident it will be approved.

What about that large spot near Eloy where they started and abandoned a theme park project?

[sh9730]

JG

If you are talking about the one from many many years ago - you can still see the leftovers on the side of the road - but not sure any more details.

I think these developers like the fact that it is off of TWO freeways - allows circulation and marketing avenues.