Tulsa - For five years now, Bell's Amusement Park and nearby neighbors have been at odds over where to build a multi-million dollar roller coaster. Now, that dispute is settled and the park gets to build its new ride. NewsChannel 8's Bill Mitchell shows us where it will be built and just how exciting it will be for Bell's customers.
Originally, Bell's wanted to build their roller coaster on the west side of their amusement park in the big parking lot, covering the area with a giant roller coaster. But the folks who live nearby said it was too close to their homes. But now, the three-million dollar ride will be built inside Bell's Amusement Park on the east side of the Zingo.
"It took five years and many, many lawyers fees to finally come around this way," says William Weinrich, President of the Homeowner's Association.
Weinrich says the agreement with Bell's is what the homeowners wanted in the first place.
"I talked to Earlene Wilson, the County Clerk," Weinrich says. "I popped into her office and we chatted. She said there ought to be a book written about this. It's quite something for something to go on this long."
Lady Liberty won't be looking down on a miniature golf course any more. Instead she'll be seeing riders screaming by in a state-of-the-art steel roller coaster -- one that will actually take people through and around the almost 40-year-old Zingo -- a dramatic mix of the old and the new.
"What we will do is we'll make this ride do more turns and twists than most coasters in this style do," says Bell's Owner Robbie Bell. "And, so we'll probably make some actual 90-degree turns in this ride which means they will be traveling like this."
Bell says it will be one of the most spectacular rides to ever hit this state. Once construction begins it will take eight to ten months to complete. The decision on when to start construction is still up in the air.
Right now, during the state fair, there are two big revenue producing rides -- number one the sky ride and number two Zingo. Robbie Bell says when the new roller coaster comes in, it will out produce both of them.
Wow... I mean, isn't that amazing?? A development interest (eventually) worked with the neighborhood and proceeded with the residents' plan, AND THE EARTH KEPT RIGHT ON SPINNING. To hear most developers tell it, we should be crashing into Mars any second now...
And lo and behold, the park believes the ride will STILL be a bigger hit than their current top two rides during the fair. Since the neighbors get to keep their buffer zone between them and the rides, it sounds like this is a *gasp* win-win situation. How is that possible???
(end sarcasm)
I'd like to see a lot more of these win-win outcomes happen a lot faster in this town. Kudos to the neighborhood residents who were quoted in the paper as throwing their full, enthusiastic support behind Bell's and the new plan. Very classy move.
Now we will just see if this will help turn around Bell's in the long run. I just don't see it happening.
It could at least bring the numbers up for a little while. Let's hope for the best.
I'm glad they worked out a compromise everyone was happy with.
That said, Bell's has been there since 1951. Most of the property owners in the area have bought their houses since Bells was there.
I never cease to be amazed at the people who buy houses near amusement parks or airports, then complain about all the noise.
There was a new upscale home development built in Dallas a few years back near or under the flight path for Love Field. People bought homes, moved in, then tried to get Love Field shut down for all the noise!
quote:
Originally posted by Conan71
I'm glad they worked out a compromise everyone was happy with.
That said, Bell's has been there since 1951. Most of the property owners in the area have bought their houses since Bells was there.
I never cease to be amazed at the people who buy houses near amusement parks or airports, then complain about all the noise.
There was a new upscale home development built in Dallas a few years back near or under the flight path for Love Field. People bought homes, moved in, then tried to get Love Field shut down for all the noise!
I understand what you're saying and agree that there are some clueless people out there, but the Bell's situation was a bit different. It wasn't that the neighbors were complaining about the current noise -- they were opposed to a plan that would increase the noise, but more importantly bring it several hundred feet closer to them. Big difference.
I think most of the neighbors accept the noise from the park, but it's not unreasonable for them to oppose a loud new ride being built literally across the street from their front yard. Keeping the ride within the confines of the park was a good compromise all the way around.
quote:
Originally posted by AVERAGE JOE
quote:
Originally posted by Conan71
I'm glad they worked out a compromise everyone was happy with.
That said, Bell's has been there since 1951. Most of the property owners in the area have bought their houses since Bells was there.
I never cease to be amazed at the people who buy houses near amusement parks or airports, then complain about all the noise.
There was a new upscale home development built in Dallas a few years back near or under the flight path for Love Field. People bought homes, moved in, then tried to get Love Field shut down for all the noise!
I understand what you're saying and agree that there are some clueless people out there, but the Bell's situation was a bit different. It wasn't that the neighbors were complaining about the current noise -- they were opposed to a plan that would increase the noise, but more importantly bring it several hundred feet closer to them. Big difference.
I think most of the neighbors accept the noise from the park, but it's not unreasonable for them to oppose a loud new ride being built literally across the street from their front yard. Keeping the ride within the confines of the park was a good compromise all the way around.
Absolutely the neighbors have that right. I just find funny irony when people move next to a hog farm and complain of the stench, or next to a noise-producing enterprise and complain of the noise.
I believe Bell's has tried to be a good neighbor by shutting down Zingo at 9pm. If the wind is blowing just right I can hear Zingo in the early evenings at my house north and west of 15th & Harvard. To me it's another "summer sound" in Tulsa that I have grown accustomed to, but I could see it as being a little more tiresome if it were right across the street. That's one of the reasons I didn't look for a house just south of 21st St. or just west of Expo Square.
I didn't see this mentioned in the paper, but are they going to scuttle the miniature golf course? I noticed the new coaster will run atop the layout of the course, but I wasn't sure if it would still be used. Last time I was there a few years ago, the course was looking pretty shabby, and I don't even remember if it was still open.
The golf course is a gonner.
Will they at least keep the giant globe? My kids love that....
That would be cool. I'm interested in seeing the plans having the new coaster run THROUGH zingo...
I guess this means they're not moving, huh?
Holy crap, investment in Bells?
The first time I went to Bells was aobut 16 years ago, the fisrt time I went to big splash was at about the same time... since then, the only new attraction for either of them that I remember changing is Big Splash adding the lazy river/tube launch.
Hell, the slides at big splash are so run down you have to push yourself to the bottom. Not to mentino the 'family friendly' atmosphere - not allowed to bring water in, and no drinking fountains. Add no new attractions and the fact that its no bargain, and I wonder why attendance isnt going up.
Anyway, glad to see Bells is adding a new coaster, hopefully they put a little money into making the whole place spruced up whlie they are at it. Seems the owners of the respective Fairground parks have been on coast for sometime. Investments tend to fade away on that plan.
Bells added the "Chili Pepper Plunge" about ten years ago, The new launch in the air ride last year, and many kid rides inbetween including a new one being finalized right now. I don't go there often but I do know things have been added. The base infrastructure is atracious though.
I admit I havent been to Bells in a few years, so any changes not visible since there are lost on me. Thanks for letting me know!
I'm still mourning the loss of the Giant Slide!
I think they got rid of it b/c some folks decided to ride gunny sacks down the slide while standing up. (Darwinism meets legal liability.) Heck...sounds like the next X-Games sport, if you ask me! Bring back the giant slide...and call ESPN!
quote:
Originally posted by PonderInc
I'm still mourning the loss of the Giant Slide!
I think they got rid of it b/c some folks decided to ride gunny sacks down the slide while standing up. (Darwinism meets legal liability.) Heck...sounds like the next X-Games sport, if you ask me! Bring back the giant slide...and call ESPN!
I still have painful childhood memories of putting my hand down on the slide while going down it at 80 mph. Seared child flesh is a smell that stays with you.
quote:
Originally posted by PonderInc
I'm still mourning the loss of the Giant Slide!
(Darwinism meets legal liability.)
[}:)][:D][;)]
quote:
Originally posted by Kiah
quote:
Originally posted by PonderInc
I'm still mourning the loss of the Giant Slide!
I think they got rid of it b/c some folks decided to ride gunny sacks down the slide while standing up. (Darwinism meets legal liability.) Heck...sounds like the next X-Games sport, if you ask me! Bring back the giant slide...and call ESPN!
I still have painful childhood memories of putting my hand down on the slide while going down it at 80 mph. Seared child flesh is a smell that stays with you.
Bet you were a hoot around fireplaces and stovetops. Look mommy my hand is burning when I put it here!
quote:
Originally posted by TheArtist
Bet you were a hoot around fireplaces and stovetops. Look mommy my hand is burning when I put it here!
Spoken like someone who never rode the Giant Slide. The only protection between the rider and 3rd degree friction burns was a frayed burlap sack.
The indoor/outdoor carpet at the end of the slide was good for burns as well, that was quite a deceleration at the end!
Well, if this ever does become the next X-Games sport, I'm going to win...b/c you guys are obviously dilletantes! (When you drive your cars, do you drag your feet on the ground? Ouch! Hot! It buuuurrrnnnnss!) [;)]
When I was about 3 or 4 I went to Bells and somehow wound up with a bumper sticker that said Phantasmagoria(sp?) anyway I thought the best place for that was around my waste (yep you guessed it right over the bare skin) I won't ever forget that lesson.....Gettin a butt whippin hurts alot less than gettin a bumper sticker peeled of your gut....haha.....And yes that thing almost made it all the way around at that age....heh....
What happened to the idea of Bells moving out by the river in Jenks? I seem to remember even seeing drawings of development with Bells in it.
quote:
Originally posted by gam1monkey
What happened to the idea of Bells moving out by the river in Jenks? I seem to remember even seeing drawings of development with Bells in it.
Robby Bell needed private investors to fund the move. Sounds like he didn't get any.
You guys are too polite. I just realized what an idiot I was putting the word "gets" twice in the thread title. You all shoulda had a field day with it. [:D][B)][:D]
I've wondered for a long time why Bell's doesn't seem to do anything to upgrade their product and make the park a better attraction. If he is going to put in an expensive new roller coaster, wouldn't it be a good time to improve and re-theme what's already there to make it a quality place?
With some "imagineering" (to borrow a term from the theme park kings) and fairly modest investment, you could give Bell's a cool retro 1950's or a "roaring '20's" theme that would make it a fun and unique place.
Does anyone know any inside info as to why it hasn't progressed. Is there such a slim margin that he doesn't have the resources? Is the arrangement with the County part of the problem? Is he just a lousy businessman, or maybe doesn't care? I'd really like to know.
See sgrizzle's last post- it's all about money or lack thereof. I seriously doubt it's due to apathy, I just don't think the funds are there for it. Seems they have struggled for quite some time and the lawsuit several years back didn't help either. I was never clear if it was insurance funds that settled it or not. Running an amusement park is an expensive proposition. Insurance eats you alive as it is without having any claims.
I just took a look at Bell's website. It's pretty poor. I have to believe at least part of their problem is apathy.
Will the bells toll for Bells?
http://www.tulsaworld.com/NewsStory.asp?ID=061022_Ne_A22_Willt65291
Even with the new roller coaster going in, the paper implies that the renewal of their lease is not certain.
One question--Mr. Bell states that Bell's financial trouble stems back to when the fairgrounds placed the rv parking lot in the NW corner. I have no idea why that would affect Bells. There was nothing there before; most people going to Bell's park on the south side. I thought that was a very odd statement.
This story deserves bigger coverage by TulsaWorld than buried on page 32 behind a front page headline on David Boren's protest and the emails he received from his whine.
I know that this is completely off-topic (and I know that I am just as guilty as BixB in doing this, from time-to-time), but is anyone else annoyed at the bad grammar on this topic headline/title/whatever-you-call-it? Sorry, pet-peeve.
Strangely I hadn't notice until you said something. Fixed now.
quote:
Originally posted by pmcalk
Will the bells toll for Bells?
http://www.tulsaworld.com/NewsStory.asp?ID=061022_Ne_A22_Willt65291
Even with the new roller coaster going in, the paper implies that the renewal of their lease is not certain.
One question--Mr. Bell states that Bell's financial trouble stems back to when the fairgrounds placed the rv parking lot in the NW corner. I have no idea why that would affect Bells. There was nothing there before; most people going to Bell's park on the south side. I thought that was a very odd statement.
Bell's is now technically without a lease. And this letter (//%22http://kotv.com/files/bell-lease.pdf%22) makes it sound like this is it for Bell's (unless the letter is a negotiating ploy).
Bells got themselves in this boat. Now there will be a cry to "save bells" and either Jenks or Tuls will ante up. This would be another great thing that could be put on the west bank near 21st.
According to the paper, Bells' lease will not be renewed as their busuness plan was apparently lacking. They have 120 days according to their lease agreement to remove all equipment and personal effects.
Lawyers, start your engines.
Apparently Robbie is going on the edge (104.5) this morning to talk about his future plans.
I have no radio in my office so I won't know what he says.
quote:
Originally posted by sgrizzle
Apparently Robbie is going on the edge (104.5) this morning to talk about his future plans.
I have no radio in my office so I won\'t know what he says.
BTW, power brokers are not concerned with what happens to Bell\'s
quote:
Originally posted by tulitlikeitis
quote:
Originally posted by sgrizzle
Apparently Robbie is going on the edge (104.5) this morning to talk about his future plans.
I have no radio in my office so I won\'t know what he says.
BTW, power brokers are not concerned with what happens to Bell\'s
Power brokers don't spam local forums of cities they don't in.
quote:
Originally posted by sgrizzle
Bells got themselves in this boat. Now there will be a cry to "save bells" and either Jenks or Tuls will ante up. This would be another great thing that could be put on the west bank near 21st.
I think Bell's would be great on the west bank, but maybe not near 21st--I would really like to see something more urban, high density in that area. Maybe around 41st?
I would hate to see Bell's disappear altogether, but I think a new location might benefit everyone.
There were a lot of people who did not want the new roller coaster and now they get their wish.
There are a lot of people who did not like the noise from Bells and they will be glad it's gone too.
I just hope that what they replace Bells with is lucrative and brings in more money than renting it to Bells did. If it don't - Richard Bjorklund is going to look like a complete idiot.
Let the games begin. [}:)]
I am very impressed that the Fairgrounds is playing hardball with Bell's.
I believe the third generation just did not put the money back into the park that the father and grandfather did.
The park looks terrible. There is chipped paint on every ride and the golf course hasn't been open for years. It has also turned into a very dangerous place where the county deputies had to break up fights often.
I also see where they had paid less and less rent for the last few years. The rent is probably way below market for that prime real estate.
quote:
Originally posted by Sangria
There were a lot of people who did not want the new roller coaster and now they get their wish.
There are a lot of people who did not like the noise from Bells and they will be glad it's gone too.
I just hope that what they replace Bells with is lucrative and brings in more money than renting it to Bells did. If it don't - Richard Bjorklund is going to look like a complete idiot.
Let the games begin. [}:)]
It will probably just be parking.
So Bell's will move to Jenks, where they will receive incredible financial incentives/economic assistance to build a terrific new amusement park that will draw visitors from around the area.
And we will get a parking lot.
quote:
Originally posted by PonderInc
So Bell's will move to Jenks, where they will receive incredible financial incentives/economic assistance to build a terrific new amusement park that will draw visitors from around the area.
And we will get a parking lot.
Go team!
Obviously, we don't want a parking lot. But what would be a good fit there? A park? Another hotel? Any ideas?
Do you think next we could get Big Splash to clean up a bit?
Why would you assume the long range plan is for more parking?
The fairgrounds has done a great job in building and growing the last ten years. I would expect this to be a great opportunity for redevelopment.
The new buildings and park look so good, the run-down Bell's just had to fix up or leave. They gave Bell's plenty of opportunities and he just couldn't get his act together.
They reduced his rent again and again and just wanted a viable business plan that showed he was going to make it out of this neglect and dangerous death spiral. He couldn't and needs to go somewhere else.
I doubt there will be fabulous economic incentives for him elsewhere with his history. If there are, moving will be a great excuse to clean up his act.
I think he at least needs a business partner, someone whith some "fresh eyes" lol for the park. Because even if he was to move to the river or some where else I dont think he has the vision for the park or the ability to pull it off. He says he just invested 700,000 in two new rides. How much has he invested in fresh paint, landscaping, etc.? The park has looked hideous for ages now and is certainly not up to modern standards. Many of the new rides and some old ones are like ones you would see at a fair. There doesnt seem to be any creativity for other entertainment options.
I remember going to Bells as a kid and Silver Dollar city. At one time Bells was much larger with more rides and entertainment options. They have gone in drastically opposite directions since then.
We have heard for years, make that decades, over and over, about getting the park themed or having a large new rollercoaster, but none of those things has come to pass. I can see why the expo people may be sceptical about further promises and business plans. The argument with the neighbors about the new rollercoaster... goes straight to that creativity thing. How many years did it take him to figure out he could build it in a different area of the park? Thats just one exaple
The article says he paid 135,000 dollars to the expo last year and was the expos highest paying tenant. What are the other tenants? 135,000 dollars a year is a paltry sum for such a large area of land. How much do the horse barns pull on, the IPE building, the arena? You could build 25 apartment units (off in only one small segment of the parks land area) making 500 a month each and do better, as an example. And still have plenty of land left over for other things (not saying they should build any apartments btw lol). But surely events and such do better as well. Is the waterpark (which looks much nicer) a tenant? How much does it make and how many people utilize it each year in comparison to Bells? How much space does it take up in comparison as well?
quote:
Originally posted by recyclemichael
Why would you assume the long range plan is for more parking?
The fairgrounds has done a great job in building and growing the last ten years. I would expect this to be a great opportunity for redevelopment.
The new buildings and park look so good, the run-down Bell's just had to fix up or leave. They gave Bell's plenty of opportunities and he just couldn't get his act together.
They reduced his rent again and again and just wanted a viable business plan that showed he was going to make it out of this neglect and dangerous death spiral. He couldn't and needs to go somewhere else.
I doubt there will be fabulous economic incentives for him elsewhere with his history. If there are, moving will be a great excuse to clean up his act.
The area residents would likely block a development of anything larger than a small building. I brief review of the expo master plan shows them to be consolidation their trade center space into the expo building and 2 new facilities. This is quite a ways away from the livestock area to involve that.
If Bells and the Drillers leave, that opens a lot up for development though.
Robbie Bell had wanted a timeline of years to move the park to Jenks, and I think he may have been expecting Jenks to help pay for the move.
I also don't think he's going to get any money out of Jenks to help him at all. Any move to Jenks is going to take his own (or borrowed) money. Jenks probably doesn't see the crime that would come with the park as something they want. Plus, that crime would mean Jenks needs more police. With so little retail, Jenks has all it's own budget problems and a larger police force to take care of Bell's is not likely a problem that Jenks wants to pay Robbie Bell to create. I don't think Jenks would turn Bell's away, but, Bell's is on it's own if they want to move to Jenks.
I further really, really question how much, if anything, he can move out in 120 days.
Expo Square wants him out, and are using the media to push the case, why? If they simply wanted him out why does KOTV get his eviction notice before he does?
My money is Expo wants Bells. I'm guessing on some sort of small settlement for Robbie Bell that means he will walk away and leave all the rides. Bells will the either be sold to another operator with a better business plan and better funding, or, Expo will run Bell's themselves. Bell's got more valuable with the approval of a new rollercoaster, but Robbie Bell doesn't have a lease and very little leverage without one.
quote:
Originally posted by TheArtist
The article says he paid 135,000 dollars to the expo last year and was the expos highest paying tenant. What are the other tenants? 135,000 dollars a year is a paltry sum for such a large area of land. How much do the horse barns pull on, the IPE building, the arena? You could build 25 apartment units (off in only one small segment of the parks land area) making 500 a month each and do better, as an example. And still have plenty of land left over for other things (not saying they should build any apartments btw lol). But surely events and such do better as well. Is the waterpark (which looks much nicer) a tenant? How much does it make and how many people utilize it each year in comparison to Bells? How much space does it take up in comparison as well?
Unless there's been any recent changes, Big Splash is another tenant, but has had similar financial problems. Didn't they recently try to renegotiate their lease?
It may look nicer on the outside, but Big Splash needs a major overhaul as well. We took the kids there closing weekend this year. Paint was peeling, or gone, trash cans were overflowing with trash, bathrooms were filthy, rides were not working, etc.... The kiddie pool's styrofoam animals had large junks of styrofoam missing.
quote:
Originally posted by recyclemichael
Why would you assume the long range plan is for more parking?
This quote from the Tulsa World might have led us there:
No decision has been made on how the 10.4 acres that Bell's has leased will be used in the future, Orbison said.
"The easiest thing for it to be used for short-term is parking, and that has been considered," he said. "But we keep our options open for the use of that land for any other appropriate purposes." quote:
Originally posted by pmcalk
Unless there's been any recent changes, Big Splash is another tenant, but has had similar financial problems. Didn't they recently try to renegotiate their lease?
It may look nicer on the outside, but Big Splash needs a major overhaul as well. We took the kids there closing weekend this year. Paint was peeling, or gone, trash cans were overflowing with trash, bathrooms were filthy, rides were not working, etc.... The kiddie pool's styrofoam animals had large junks of styrofoam missing.
The Murphy of Murphy Brothers Carnival rides owns Big Splash. I've heard that EXPO would love for the water park to leave, but then they turn around and sign another no bid contract with Murphy for the midway. So who knows.
quote:
Originally posted by recyclemichael
Why would you assume the long range plan is for more parking?
The fairgrounds has done a great job in building and growing the last ten years. I would expect this to be a great opportunity for redevelopment.
The new buildings and park look so good, the run-down Bell's just had to fix up or leave. They gave Bell's plenty of opportunities and he just couldn't get his act together.
They reduced his rent again and again and just wanted a viable business plan that showed he was going to make it out of this neglect and dangerous death spiral. He couldn't and needs to go somewhere else.
I doubt there will be fabulous economic incentives for him elsewhere with his history. If there are, moving will be a great excuse to clean up his act.
Randi Miller says Bells will be a parking lot by spring.
I would like to see Bell's move to a location that provides opportunities for growth and expansion. Obviously, it's had trouble thriving, given the Expo Square and neighborhood constraints. An amusement park really adds to a region's quality of life. An in-town traditional amusement park like Bell's is a treasure, although like other Tulsa assets, it seems to be scorned rather than appreciated. There are a lot of complaints about Bell's on here and many may be justified. But I'd rather see the park set on a definite road to improvement than be turned into a parking lot.
Thankfully, the people of Bartlesville recognize the value of an amusement park. Their Kiddie Park is a celebrated rare treasure. Here are some photos from this summer: Bartlesville's Kiddie Park (//%22http://www.flickr.com/photos/ezeiza/tags/kiddiepark/%22).
What's most troubling to me about this lease issue is the doubt it casts on the future of Zingo and the gondola skyride. Both are historically significant installations and are beloved icons of Tulsa, Bell's, and the Tulsa State Fair. Also of some significance is the log ride, which came from the New York World's Fair of 1964-65. Whatever the outcome, I want to see Zingo and the skyride survive. The skyride, incidentally, has been reported for years to be the single biggest money maker at the fair.
Tulsa skyride:
(http://static.flickr.com/92/263384359_99a2ad4958.jpg) (//%22http://www.flickr.com/photos/ezeiza/263384359/%22)
(http://static.flickr.com/109/263384364_f32fb7ed16.jpg) (//%22http://www.flickr.com/photos/ezeiza/263384364/%22)
quote:
Originally posted by swake
Robbie Bell had wanted a timeline of years to move the park to Jenks, and I think he may have been expecting Jenks to help pay for the move.
I also don't think he's going to get any money out of Jenks to help him at all. Any move to Jenks is going to take his own (or borrowed) money. Jenks probably doesn't see the crime that would come with the park as something they want. Plus, that crime would mean Jenks needs more police. With so little retail, Jenks has all it's own budget problems and a larger police force to take care of Bell's is not likely a problem that Jenks wants to pay Robbie Bell to create. I don't think Jenks would turn Bell's away, but, Bell's is on it's own if they want to move to Jenks.
I further really, really question how much, if anything, he can move out in 120 days.
Expo Square wants him out, and are using the media to push the case, why? If they simply wanted him out why does KOTV get his eviction notice before he does?
My money is Expo wants Bells. I'm guessing on some sort of small settlement for Robbie Bell that means he will walk away and leave all the rides. Bells will the either be sold to another operator with a better business plan and better funding, or, Expo will run Bell's themselves. Bell's got more valuable with the approval of a new rollercoaster, but Robbie Bell doesn't have a lease and very little leverage without one.
That's an insightful post. Unless he has industry interest in buying his rides, 120 days is ridiculous. The business itself is not an easy sell. The best prospect is the landlord. The fairboard is playing mobster rules. However, when you dance with the devil, you can't expect any different i.e. he has had a pretty good deal all these years and squandered the opportunity. They will make him an offer that will be hard to refuse (plus attys fees) and he'll take the money and run. Maybe that will be a grubstake for a Jenks operation.
Nothing good ever lasts for ever. Perhaps the fairboard will lease the park to Murphy Bros. who has experience in the industry or maybe...that was the idea all along.
Your idea would be better than what I have heard H20..
It is going to be the future home of something Tulsa is famous for...
A Suface Parking Lot..........[:(!]
I heard on the radio this morning that neighbors don't want to see Bells go?!
Can't live with em, can't live without em.
Here's the news on the board:
http://www.kotv.com/news/local/story/?id=114097
Does anyone know what offers they have received? I am sure that Jenks is more than willing (which is perfectly fine), but is there the possibility that they are going to move REALLY far away?
Interestingly, the TPC is considering whether Bell's should be designated a landmark.
http://www.tulsapreservationcommission.org/
Wonder if that will make any difference.
So a City of Tulsa board, funded and staffed by city employees, is going to tell the county what to do on their property that is outside the city limits?
Good luck with that.
Designating something as historic doesn't mean you put any restrictions on what you can do with it. The city has designated many buildings as historic. Unfortunately, if the owners wanted to tear down those buildings tomorrow, the city could not stop them. If the TPC votes to designate Bells as a historic landmark, it will be nothing more than a label.
Yeah, there was a push to get the Skelly building declared "historic" and it was featured in preservation magazine, but the owners still tore it down.
When Elitch Gardens (which was an old, historic amusement park with incredible gardens/grounds in Denver) moved to a new location, I believe the city helped them acquire the new location. It was a planned move, not a "hit the road, Jack" sort of thing. They moved most of the rides, but not the wooden roller coaster. The old site was redeveloped in a new-urbanist, environmentally friendly way...and they worked hard to preserve the old trees, etc. The park owners had been wanting to move to a new site with more space, which is understandable. Eventually it was sold to a big amusement park company. (In fact, I think it's now a 6 flags park.)
I really don't want Tulsa to lose its history, and our one local amusement park. It's just one more thing that we absolutely shouldn't gift to the suburbs. My concern is that this "don't let the door hit ya" attitude is not helpful to the city as a whole. And while I agree that Bell's is not as spiffy as it once was (or appeared to my youthful eyes), I still think that it's a great addition to our city. And face it, how many wooden roller coasters are still around? If another company wanted to buy it and fix it up, that would be great, but I do think they neighborhood constraints would probably limit such a transaction.
BTW, in my experience, the main noise coming from the fairgrounds is when they have fireworks at the Driller's games...and when they used to have indoor auto racing. (Not sure if they still do that.) Never did hear the roller coaster...but haven't spent much time in the area in a while.