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COMMENTS
Comment by:
Admin on Jan. 31st, 2012 - 12:21am
Three messages deleted.
If you guys continue bickering, it just gets deleted and is a big waste of time for everyone.
Soapboxmom -- if I have to delete your message a fourth time, you'll be permanently banned from this site.
Comment by:
Admin on Jan. 30th, 2012 - 9:16pm
I've deleted off topic posts. Stay on topic, please. Don't make arguments personal. Discuss the issues and the park, not each other.
Comment by:
Mr. X on Jan. 30th, 2012 - 8:23pm
Anyone that helps bring this park to Montgomery County deserves nothing but the best in my opinion. I support the EMCIDs decisions. It sounds like they are doing whatever they can to get the park built. This park will bring MILLIONS to East Montgomery County. If EarthQuest gets built, the people of Montgomery County should be very thankful that the EMCID did their jobs right.
Cynthia Calvert, Linda Floyd and Heather Dobrott have no credibility whatsoever. They are just bored housewives trying to create something more interesting for themselves to do with their days than just doing dishes and wiping baby butts.
Comment by:
Mr. X on Jan. 30th, 2012 - 2:23pm
That last article is old news and nobody complained when they created their special little kingdom.
Comment by:
Soapboxmom on Jan. 30th, 2012 - 12:21pm
http://www.texaswatchdog.org/taxonomy/term/25
[QUOTE]Handbook of Texas Online, to refer to the special districts as the state’s “invisible governments.”
The small districts “are subject to little or no supervision by the state, leading to administrative, personnel, and financial practices that are inefficient and sometimes ethically and morally questionable,” the LBJ School group’s paper continued.
Though the money may be coming in, information doesn't always go out. Of 3,000-plus special districts in the state, less than 10 have been tapped for the state comptroller’s transparency “leadership circle,” reflecting that they meet certain standards for publishing financial and other information about themselves on the Internet.
Comments:
Cruiser 1144
Thursday, 02/17/2011 - 01:11PM
Mr. John Otto a house representative for District 18 needs to be reminded that a tax is a tax is a tax. He seems to think that the voters in a small portion of Dist 18 in East Montgomery County don't mind if he is in bed with the improvement district. Mr. Otto you are a RHINO. Shame on you for HB-737 and your special gate tax for East Montgomery County.
[/QUOTE]
Cynthia Calvert wrote:
[QUOTE]Director Linda Floyd “recommended that the travel by the EarthQuest consultants “be restricted or eliminated.”
There is no mention of why Floyd was so concerned about the traveling expenses of the EarthQuest consultants. But from financial records obtained by The Tribune it is obvious that EMCID has paid for extensive travel and other accommodations for the EarthQuest consultants.[/QUOTE]
We tax payers deserve some transparency and accountability!
Comment by:
Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy on Jan. 27th, 2012 - 3:43pm
Besides the costs of the demolition and the planned multi-million dollar transformation of the former Flagship property into the new Pleasure Pier, the project previously was bogged down in litigation after Landry's owner Tilman Fertitta acquired the property from the city of Galveston in 2004. The complex legal proceedings involved the Flagship’s former operating company, owned by a Sugar Land businessman. Once the litigation was resolved, Fertitta was able to take full control of the property.
Comment by:
Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy on Jan. 27th, 2012 - 12:00am
Officials had hoped construction on the $15 million facility ($106 million in today’s dollars) would be finished in the spring of 1963. That didn’t happen, of course, as lawsuits delayed the construction and pushed back the opening to 1965.
“Events in the National Baseball League led to the rapid planning of this stadium. Its quick development is a tribute to the cooperation of everyone in Harris County who helped to make it possible,” Harris County Judge Bill Elliott told the Houston Chronicle in 1962.
Comment by:
Johnny Quest on Jan. 26th, 2012 - 2:47pm
The money that the EMCID has spent will have come to no avail only IF this project is not built. The only way the taxpayers will ever get the money that EMCID spent back is for the project to move forward.
So long as it was done in good faith, I don't blame the EMCID for forwarding money to Marlin Atlantis in order to jumpstart the project. It will be a boon to the area. It just proves that the EMCID is doing their job. That is what they are there for... to get revenue generating DEVELOPMENT in East Montgomery County.
If the EMCID didn't come up with money, incentives and/or tax breaks, Marlin Atlantis would have started the project in another county.
If this project ever gets off the ground all this waiting, worrying and wondering will have been worth it. And no one will even remember all the B.S. that preceded it.
The Empire State Building and Bugsy's Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas had bumpy beginnings too. How'd that work out?
Comment by:
Soapboxmoo on Jan. 25th, 2012 - 8:38pm
I am the REAL Soapboxmoo. The original. And no, I'm NOT kosher.
Comment by:
smallbusinessowner on Jan. 25th, 2012 - 8:20pm
I hope you are not trying to be soapboxmom. That's not kosher
Comment by:
Soapboxmoo on Jan. 25th, 2012 - 8:01pm
I don't give a schit about the taxpayers or how much money the government puts into this project so long as it happens. the benefits this resort will bring to the area will far surpass any govt incentives. What is a few million dollars in the face of a half BILLION dollar project.
Now - if the project doesn't get built or is built in another county near houston that would be different. the taxpayers will be out for blood -as well they should be.
The taxpayers get screwed over on an hourly basis anyway (Think EXXON and such). At least this is one project that everyone will love after it's built. Well, except for people who hate family outdoor activities or people who would rather see San Antonio and Dallas get all that theme park money that could otherwise be staying in Houston.
Comment by:
smallbusinessowner on Jan. 25th, 2012 - 6:22pm
Sorry, forgot to congratulate Ms. Calvert of the Humble Tribune who has had the foresight and the courage to dig into the mire of this project. The truth will out!
Comment by:
smallbusinessowner on Jan. 25th, 2012 - 6:11pm
I sincerely hope that a project comes through to boost the area economy. What most people don't seem to be concerned about is the absolute waste of money that EMCID has authorized to no avail. They funded those developers with seemingly no regard to the taxpayers. Why aren't you guys angry about this?
Comment by:
X on Jan. 25th, 2012 - 5:17pm
Contour will get the money. Or someone else will. There is too much money to be made in an underserved market like Houston. You guys are way too pessimistic. Any theme park built in Houston will be a gold mine - warm climate, 6 million people within an hour away - That is why the EMCID has no intentions of giving up on this project.
I shouldn't have to remind people that the slow economy was definitely a factor in rounding up money to break ground. Look at all the projects announced in the last few years that has just went away. EQ has not gone away. That alone should be encouraging. As the national economy improves and Houston's economy remains strong with thousands more moving into the area, the chances of this project finding a backer will no doubt improve. The EMCID and Contour sound more committed than ever before. Until they give up, I will remain optimistic that EQ will be built the way it has been planned.
The park is already designed. Don Lessum is no longer needed for any reason to get the project off the ground. Besides Don Lessum is an expert on Dinosaurs, not building theme parks. He was never more than a consultant during the design phase. Anyway, when was the last time anyone (who knows what they are talking about) referred to EQ as a 'dinosaur park'. That is what they called EQ in the beginning, but it has since evolved (YEARS AGO) into a park that is themed to 'sustaining the environment'. Check out the EQ website. It is not a 'dinosaur park' anymore.
Soapboxmom is the least among us qualified to guess what will dampen the enthusiasm of investors. How many theme park investors has she talked to in order to gage the enthusiasm within unnamed POTENTIAL investors? Contour? Contour says they are even looking at nearby alternate sites on which to build this park on. I say the EMCID has more reasons now to do everything in their power to see to it that this park gets built. It is the only way they will ever get back the money that they have already spent. How's that for an incentive?
Comment by:
Soapboxmom on Jan. 25th, 2012 - 10:46am
New Caney Rebel,
You said:
<"They have the experience and investors who are poised to invest aligned. There is actually premier date set for late 2012 or early 2013."<
Chris Brown stated in the article:
<"That is not how I would characterize it,” Brown said. “Actually, we have an agreement in place with an option on the intellectual property licensing agreements with EMCID. We are working to raise the money, $500 million. That is a lot of money. However, we have not raised it yet. That is something we are working on.” <
I would like to point out that I spoke personally to Chris Brown last week and as the article states Contour does not have the funds yet, but they are very enthusiastic and are doing everything possible to get things rolling in that regard from what I was told. Opinion is one thing, but misstatements of fact quite another.
The biggest hurdle will be getting the hundreds of millions needed to get this off of the ground and being able to purchase property suitable to build on. The bank, as the article postulated, is owed 21 million and is likely to want to sell the property outright and recoup what they can of their losses after all these years of monkeying around.
The genius behind the ideas, Don Lessem, who I spoke with last summer, has pulled out as Marlin Atlantis did not do what they had promised him they would. Losing his creative genius is a huge blow to this project and I think will dampen the enthusiasm of investors.
Comment by:
Soapboxmom on Jan. 25th, 2012 - 7:30am
http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=13242
Finally the truth is out. I spoke to Contour and knew this was coming. I can also now share that I spoke to "Dino" Don Lessem last year and the Marlin Atlantis gang was not fulfilling their obligations to him. He is another victim in this dino disaster.
I will keep watching PACER for more filings in the bankruptcy. The paper references the bankruptcy papers I have up in their original form on my site.
http://www.realscam.com/f11/trey-white-fake-multi-bi
Comment by:
Micky Mouse on Jan. 24th, 2012 - 2:38pm
The project is still alive. Don't let anyone tell you it isn't. It took the Disney Company 12 years (1959-1971) to develop Walt Disney World. Lots of doubts followed that project too. How'd that turn out?
Comment by:
New Caney rebel on Jan. 24th, 2012 - 8:51am
I believe the discussion is about the park to be established in New Caney, Astroworlds demise 7 years ago was a result of "The company cited issues such as the park's performance, and parking issues involving the Houston Texans football team, Reliant Stadium, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo leveraged with the estimated value of the property upon which the park was located". A lot has changed in the market since then as well.
If you look at the current state of the economy and the venues which are present in the geographical location I foresee a success. People have a limited choice in where to go for a super park type of setting. I believe in the build it and they will come thought.
The problem is the magnitude of the project has over shadowed the the previous developers ability to bring a super park to life. Interest in the park at a personal, community and regional are still rampant. The difficulty is the financial aspect, investors are really starting to have a bad taste in the project with the publicity. However, as anyone knows when buying a home it is best to look for a foreclosure to find a great opportunity. The same goes for investors. They are looking to maximize their return on investment, therefore I believe that many will see an opportunity which has been created by the bankruptcy.
Montgomery county has a vested interest in making the park come to life. They seem to have taken a more active hand in orchestrating the construction. Contour entertainment has already listed the project as in the works. http://www.contourentertainment.com/
They have the experience and investors who are poised to invest aligned. There is actually premier date set for late 2012 or early 2013.
This park will be built we just have to be patient and allow the rift raft to move aside at this time and allow progress to take place. Look at the company's who are already investing in the area. There are more motels in the area than is really supported by the market, road construction is moving forward for the infrastructure which will support the venue.
Relax and take the rest of the year off and then buy season tickets and enjoy your new park..
Comment by:
Kceovaisnt on Jan. 23rd, 2012 - 9:20am
Six Flags Inc. has sold over 20 park installations since 2004 with 19 (including Astroworld)in the first three years of that time frame. Times were tough for those guys. Astroworld's disappearance was a symptom of a much larger internal complication of a company, not a city or it's economy.
According to what is being said by all parties involved (take it for what it's worth), investors, speculators, and developers are ready to step in.
I for one beleive it will take a significant media network or entertainment company to endorse or underwrite the park development and operation. Landing media rights to IP appears to be the way to success in the amusement industry. Couple that with energy companies' endorsement for single attractions (ala EPCOT) and I think they may have a winner.
Universal Studios has done just fine without a Superbowl shoutout however they back it with a major Hollywood player with free merchendise IP.
I think Earthquest could do alot better than they are. Modest adverts like flyers, news spots, school activities, or booth prescence at the IAAPA convention could go a long way. Create a buzz.
Comment by:
on Jan. 22nd, 2012 - 6:35pm
Hello.
What a wonderful idea, and I support it 110%.
With that said, my real estate agent friend said that the "company" went bankrupt although another investor has been secured, things have stalled? Is this true? Any info would be appreciated!
Thank you-
Jennifer
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