Oz project dead

If you look back at the stories on this from the last few years, it was always the one commissioner who objected. One has to wonder if she was acting on her interests or those of her constituents.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"

That's pretty sad...I sit here and just shake my head in disgust.  If she didn't want it to be there(she says contrary yet does everything in the opposite) then why string the investors along like that.  Something stinks here...and I don't want to find out what it was...better to not know I think.
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Giddy-up

This really is kind of sad. The artists drawings were very impressive and this would have really helped their economy with taxes.
THe one thing I don't understand is why couldn't they have planned the park in a different county?
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CP! Still the coaster capital of the world in 2002!
My fellow Americans; Let's Roll!
WoodenCoaster.com *** This post was edited by bigkirby on 12/31/2001. ***

Sounds like there were alot of people opposed to the park.  Oh well,  everyone else knows they are missing out on a lot of money.

What will happen to the proposed B&M Inverted?  Wasn't the Winged Monkey supposed to go here?
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"Enjoy your record-breaking ride on Millennium Force"

Anyone have any pictures of the artists drawings?

Very sad state of affairs. I was looking forward to going to Oz, but one person with the high hopes of becoming a somebody in the world of politics has to ruin a good idea, for political gain. I like how the person wrote the story. Hopefully that councilwoman will not be reelected. They would have created countless numbers of jobs, because if I am not mistaken there was going to be a golf course and a resort there as well. (If I am wrong please let me know)

Here are the storys in order:

Oz blocked by one public official:

http://coasterbuzz.com/news/news.asp?NewsID=1579

Oz project continues to stumble and stand still:

http://coasterbuzz.com/news/news.asp?NewsID=2354

More hurdles face Oz project:

http://coasterbuzz.com/news/news.asp?NewsID=2547

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CP! Still the coaster capital of the world in 2002!
My fellow Americans; Let's Roll!
WoodenCoaster.com

I know some people from the area.  They were VERY opposed to the park, to the point of not listening to reason.  Their take on it is "We're tired of the Wizard of Oz stereotypes and want nothing to do with it."

The people I was talking to even said something to the effect of "that area is poor, why put a park there?"  Pointing out to them that it'd bring money TO the area just went over their heads.

Very sad.

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--Greg
"Beat the rush, sign up for your post-Mean Streak MRI now..."
My page  My other page  And my coaster page

Well there goes my idea for the Wicked Witch themed water ride. :(
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Don't.....look.....back! The Headless Horseman awaits you in 2002!
Model coasters and rides

Well, I live in the county where this was supposed to be built. I'm a huge enthusiast of theme parks, but this one was NOT your average park. Yes, the idea was great and the drawings and plans looked fantastic. But, the company heading the project wasn't one to trust. If another company that knew what they were doing and established trust with the citizens and commissioners of Johnson County were taking on the project, then I would be VERY pleased to see something like this in mid-america.

As for counties, they tried to build it in Wyandotte County (just north of Johnson), but NASCAR beat the park to the land and now the Kansas Speedway sits on that land. So, they headed south. The county and myself couldn't put trust in the company because they didn't pay back the loans they received from Wyandotte County. They also never stuck to their stories. Everything you heard from them varied from a previous statement. 

In the end, I don't think the project under the same company was the best option for our area. While I would like to see another park in the area to compete with Worlds of Fun, if it has the 'Oz' name or theme, many would be opposed to it...just because of its reputation.

As for the commissioner that opposed Oz. She's a stuck up snob and I'm definitely NOT voting for her next year when her term is up. Oz isn't their only thing that she was opposed to. She's opposed to many other things that the residents of the county want and need. 

Finally, in response to GregLeg's comment, you are correct in the fact that Wyandotte County isn't the most wealthy of counties. However, Johnson County is. I believe it is the fourth or fifth richest county in the country. So, it's not like we couldn't afford the park.

Matt

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Discover America's theme parks: www.themeparksonline.org
*** This post was edited by mlaskowski83 on 12/31/2001. ***

Thank you, Matt.  I'm glad to hear it's NOT just blind opposition to the park, which was the impression the folks I'd talked to gave.
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--Greg
"Beat the rush, sign up for your post-Mean Streak MRI now..."
My page  My other page  And my coaster page

We have plenty of "OZ" parks out here in California. They are called San Quentin and Folsom. Come visit any time. Everyone is very friendly Haha... sorry, I just had to say that.

That's really sad!! Well, now that this plan has failed maybe Cedar Fair will invest more money in Worlds of fun!!!

Here is a cool website that best describes this hole article!

www.worldsoffun.org/kcparks/oz.html
*** This post was edited by cvp2000 on 1/2/2002. ***

Yeah, that link you posted is a VERY old page we have on our site. We used to have some pages about other historical Kansas City parks and a brief bit on Oz. The links and e-mail addresses no longer work and the info is very out of date. I'm surprised you found that link. :-) Anyway, just a quick warning.

Matt

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Discover America's theme parks: www.themeparksonline.org

Matt - I actually found this website some years ago when I went to Worlds of Fun for the first time.  I always thought that was the main reason why Cedar Fair LLP didn't invest big dollars in capital Expenditures @ WOF. They were affraid of what was to come in Kansas City, Kansas.

I can't believe that the investors spent 40 million in Research and Project Planning.  If I were an investor, I would sue 'big time.'  I hate when political propaganda effects the one thing that keeps me a child and thats the Theme Park industry.     

Chris *** This post was edited by cvp2000 on 1/3/2002. ***