Why is Sylvester Turner persistent about a Theme Park? (Houston: amusement park, luxury)

[ParaguaneroSwag]

I am a Sylvester Turner fan. I’m saying this so you don’t think I’m one of those media freaks who find random reasons to bash Turner. That being said, I don’t understand his urgency to build a theme park in the city limits. There’s the Kemah Boardwalk and Pleasure Pier. Great places each. And if that’s not enough, Grand Texas is under construction. If it’s a big deal, demand to speed up their construction.

There’s a reason theme parks in the middle of the city aren’t good ideas. Traffic Congestion and land value are only two of many. Why is he so persistent on opening a theme park within the city limits?

[SanJac]

I’m not a Sylvester Turner fan. I agree with you having a them park is not a priority, but I also don’t see any noise about this. Where are you seeing this being pushed? Where exactly does he want to build one?

[Jack Lance]

Originally Posted by ParaguaneroSwag

I am a Sylvester Turner fan. I’m saying this so you don’t think I’m one of those media freaks who find random reasons to bash Turner. That being said, I don’t understand his urgency to build a theme park in the city limits. There’s the Kemah Boardwalk and Pleasure Pier. Great places each. And if that’s not enough, Grand Texas is under construction. If it’s a big deal, demand to speed up their construction.

There’s a reason theme parks in the middle of the city aren’t good ideas. Traffic Congestion and land value are only two of many. Why is he so persistent on opening a theme park within the city limits?

I think the AA community, which of course is his core constituency is waxing nostalgic about Astroworld, I think mostly because of Travis Scott's hip hop tribute to it's memory.

My guess is they believe the reason there is no amusement park in the City proper is because of demographics (ie racism) and not practical issues...

[LocalPlanner]

I haven't heard it as much lately, but for awhile it seemed that many many people were utterly convinced that Houston was a second-class city (compared to other metros of similar population) because it didn't have a theme park. I'm not a theme park person, so that claim didn't resonate with me, but maybe others who feel differently can weigh in?

Another thing I used to see, especially in this forum, was the claim that Houston needed "Miami, Vegas and Los Angeles-style luxury nightclubs" to be "legit." Huh? Who cares about that stuff?

[hbcu]

Originally Posted by Jack Lance

I think the AA community, which of course is his core constituency is waxing nostalgic about Astroworld, I think mostly because of Travis Scott's hip hop tribute to it's memory.

My guess is they believe the reason there is no amusement park in the City proper is because of demographics (ie racism) and not practical issues...

more news media hyping it up than "us".

Astroworld provided a steady summer job for thousands of Houston youth regardless of where you came from. I met alot of folks there, you got hands on experience and it was easy money. the only knock that it was the smallest theme park in the system at the time and we didn't get the rides Dallas or California had. Pleasure Pier has basic rides, Kemah is basic also.

It was no coincidence Fiesta Texas struggled until Astroworld closed down. They went years with 2 roller coasters and Six Flags came in and changed it. Name another major city without a major amusement park?

Even Williamsburg, Virginia has 2 major parks within 60 miles of each other

[a_guerrajr]

Probably getting a nice "benefit" from it.

[kemahkami]

Originally Posted by LocalPlanner

I haven't heard it as much lately, but for awhile it seemed that many many people were utterly convinced that Houston was a second-class city (compared to other metros of similar population) because it didn't have a theme park. I'm not a theme park person, so that claim didn't resonate with me, but maybe others who feel differently can weigh in?

I'm really not sure if the lack of a theme-park was the sole factor in why many people made up that claim about Houston, insomuch as it was a general lack of "fun" activities. Otherwise, the city surely would have had it made during the four decades that Astroworld was in operation.

[Failed Engineer]

The days of $20 season passes in the twilight of the Astroworld were fun as a kid. Today, I'm happy to drive my kids to San Antonio or Dallas for a weekend to get our thrills in. I also haven't seen much rancor about a theme park within city limits.

[SanJac]

Originally Posted by hbcu

more news media hyping it up than "us".

Astroworld provided a steady summer job for thousands of Houston youth regardless of where you came from. I met alot of folks there, you got hands on experience and it was easy money. the only knock that it was the smallest theme park in the system at the time and we didn't get the rides Dallas or California had. Pleasure Pier has basic rides, Kemah is basic also.

It was no coincidence Fiesta Texas struggled until Astroworld closed down. They went years with 2 roller coasters and Six Flags came in and changed it. Name another major city without a major amusement park?

Even Williamsburg, Virginia has 2 major parks within 60 miles of each other

Houston is not the only metro in the country without a theme park. There is an existing thread on this already:

https://www.city-data.com/forum/city...hout+them+park

Astroworld was great in its prime. Usually when we try to replicate the past it doesn't work so I am fine without having another theme park in the city limits.

[Redlionjr]

Originally Posted by Jack Lance

I think the AA community, which of course is his core constituency is waxing nostalgic about Astroworld, I think mostly because of Travis Scott's hip hop tribute to it's memory.

My guess is they believe the reason there is no amusement park in the City proper is because of demographics (ie racism) and not practical issues...

Nobody in the African American community is thinking about bringing Astroworld back. And no one is saying they tore down Astro World because of racism. What are you smoking? Leave that meth alone.