Kennywood planning "major capital improvement"

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette just put out a teaser on their website pointing to an announcment coming tomorrow.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05186/533160.stm

Details will include what to do with the recently-acquired 23 acres of land.

Sounds great...Lets just hope they stick with being a traditional place, and not get out of hand.

- Josh, Who hopes the new interstate mentioned will help him get to Kennywood easier.

...and lets not forget that "major capital improvment" does NOT necessarily mean new rides.

Looks like Kennywood is getting their "Boost" ;)

Oh yeah, Because they will need it really soon!

;)

- Josh

I heard some solid rumors about a stand-up or floorless B&M.

Shh... don't spill the beans!! ;)

- BB (still a firm believer in the IF THEY WOULD JUST BUILD A FLIPPIN PARKING GARAGE theory of kennywood expansion... seen here)

This is great news. I remember the rumor that's been around for awhile that the park would expand around the arrival of the Mon-Fayette Expressway. Now that the Expressway project has moved closer to actual construction, so can Kennywood.

Also, a parking garage would require a parking tax to be paid by the park. I'm not sure if they want to do that.

With that said, it would be nice if they could use some of this new land for parking and expand the park across KW Blvd.

What land exactly is this? While they mention the houses behind exterminator, it dosent sound like thats what it is...is it land on the opposite end, or is it something closer to the river? Regardless, this is very good news for sure.

Hey, Neil still exists!

a B&M would be nice at Kennywood, something midsize though. A 120 foot floorless or standup would be nice. Nothing huge.

Not really related to this topic but more of the page the story is on.

Got a kick out of the banner ad that says "Welcome to Pennsylvania, the double tax state" :)

Does Kennywood have a waterpark? If they don't what do you think the chances of them getting one would be?

Sandcastle is up the road, is it not? And I'm pretty sure it is owned by Kennywood, so perhaps this will be park expansion.

Whatever it is, coaster, rides, or just more picnic tables, I'm happy the park is doing well and expanding. I already need to get back up there.

^ Sandcastle is up the road and IS owned by Kennywood. It is actually a very nice waterpark but has not seen much expansion over the years.

Yeah Sandcastle is Kennywood owned. I think this expansion will be much like the Lost Kennywood expansion of 1995. If I know Kennywood, it will have a theme, great scenery, great rides, and maybe we'll get a surprise with a new coaster. Who knows!

-Jeff

Both the Post-Gazette and Tribune Review have stories about the announcement in this morning's editions.

PG: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05187/533418.stm
Trib: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/business/s_350453.html

Both papers say basically the same thing:
-"Blue sky expansion" to be announced today
-They bought the shopping plaza that used to house a Kmart and sits across Hoffman Blvd, adjacent to the current first level parking lot. This in addition to 23 acres of brownfield lots and the houses behind Lost Kennywood.
-Expansion would include parking, rides, maybe a hotel.

Exciting day ahead!

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Jeff said:
Hey, Neil still exists!

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This is what I was thinking. Is this the Neil formely known as Seven-of-Nine? If so, welcome back!

Well some details leaked about some of the announcement. The Kmart was purchased by KW and some of the lower bluff as well as some houses behind exterminator. The other 25 acre purchase is not mentioned.

What I can actually see happening is the lower Parking lot area becoming a part of the park with a additional tunnel near Lost Kennywood

Chuck, still waiting on the announcement

Just popping in to blow the "seven-to-nine" inches of dust off my account...

The article refers to "23 brownfield acres" in addition to the shopping center acquision. It seems to make sense that the Duquesne Works, which abuts Kennywood on the southeastern side (behind the Racer and Log Jammer), would fit the bill for future expansion. It's just interesting that the RIDC which owns the Duquesne Works, wasn't "aware" of any plans to sell, let alone be approached by Kennywood. Of course, this all could have been done in secrecy.

In looking at other possibilities, we already know they own land (and houses) behind the Exterminator, so expansion could happen there. I wouldn't think that they would acquire land down to the river because those are some awfully steep hills down several to active railroad tracks. But you never know with their history of clever useage of rugged terrain.