Bells coming down

[sgrizzle]

http://kotv.com/news/local/story/?id=121225

Per the story, they will run past their deadline to be out, but they are packing and moving almost, if not every, single ride.

Will Randy Miller give them more time to pack?

[RecycleMichael]

I assume that Bell's will be given more time, but he sure took his time getting started.

I wonder if his lease has any language that covers this.

[Hillman]

Robbie Bell was on KRMG this monring as he hauled the scrambler to Missouri for storage.  He mentioned that the park is 60% disassembled.  He should be off the property by June 15th, even the ZINGO.  I thought it would saty but no!

I live right there and will miss it dearly especially the ZINGO!  It is a landmark!

This is just one more thing TULSA is locing to the suburbs.  TULSA will be a suburb before long!

[rwarn17588]

That's making the rather rash assumption that a suburb will actually allow Bell's to move in.

I think most people have already figured out that Robbie Bell isn't a great amusement park manager.

The suburbs would be happy to have Bell's -- as long as Bell doesn't run it.

[patric]

KJRH was running radio ads for their night newscast to the effect bells *wasnt* moving.  Their website is worthless for news so of course there was nothing about it there... do I take it this was bogus?

[Conan71]

They are going through a lot of expense with no cash flow, other than the fair board buying the sky ride for $600K.

Robby was on KRMG this morning.  He said it's pretty much he, his dad, and a skeleton crew of six guys dismantling the park.  The labor cost of it is minimal, but storage, transportation, and rigging aren't cheap.

I have a hunch Bell's will not be re-opening somewhere else, just my own personal speculation.  There is plenty of land around the Tulsa area where they could store equipment and rides instead of going to the expense of round-trip shipping to send them back to manufacturers in Mo, Ks, and Tx for storage. I think they are looking to sell the rides.  I can't imagine manufacturers storing rides for them gratis with no relocation plans set in concrete.  

Without some serious financial incentives from another community and a large loan from somewhere, I think Bob and Robby will sell off the rides and retire.

[rwarn17588]

Maybe the station meant that Bell's wasn't moving to a suburb. From KOTV, it's clear that the rides are being dismantled and put into storage.

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

They are going through a lot of expense with no cash flow, other than the fair board buying the sky ride for $600K.

Robby was on KRMG this morning.  He said it's pretty much he, his dad, and a skeleton crew of six guys dismantling the park.  The labor cost of it is minimal, but storage, transportation, and rigging aren't cheap.

I have a hunch Bell's will not be re-opening somewhere else, just my own personal speculation.  There is plenty of land around the Tulsa area where they could store equipment and rides instead of going to the expense of round-trip shipping to send them back to manufacturers in Mo, Ks, and Tx for storage. I think they are looking to sell the rides.  I can't imagine manufacturers storing rides for them gratis with no relocation plans set in concrete.  

Without some serious financial incentives from another community and a large loan from somewhere, I think Bob and Robby will sell off the rides and retire.

My guess is that the mindmelt, being so new, was under some sort of maintenance contract and it was cheaper to have them pack & store it.

[Conan71]

Judging by the fact they have been paying regressive rental rates to the county in recent years, sounds like either revenues at the gate are down, overhead is up, or both.  It just doesn't sound like that viable an on-going enterprise anymore.  At least not one that could service debt on land acquisition, construction, and start-up.

I think a lot of families who used to frequent the park won't go anymore since it's become infested with gang-bangers.  I know my daughters and their friends don't ever care to go anymore.

[sgrizzle]

A new Bells, in a better location with better management is viable. The same thing, dropped in another tiny junky space would flop.

[pmcalk]

quote:Originally posted by patric

KJRH was running radio ads for their night newscast to the effect bells *wasnt* moving.  Their website is worthless for news so of course there was nothing about it there... do I take it this was bogus?

I heard that as well--something like "will Bells get a second chance?"  But then I watched the report, and all they talked about was that they were packing up.  All channels do stupid news teasors, but KJRH is the worst.  So many times whats-his-name comes on saying "will there be snow in the forecast?"  only to later report that, no, there won't be.

[Noodlez]

I wonder who is going to be left with the cleanup cost after they are gone, as the KOTV story said the concrete part of the log ride would be staying, and who knows what other stuff.

[sgrizzle]

The county.

Just like any other landlord.

[Conan71]

Here's what I don't get.  I'm assuming Tulsa County does not pay itself property tax for the fairgrounds and they weren't paying the utilities for Bell's, right?

Even if Bell's were paying $50K per year in rent that's more revenue than a parking lot will generate.  I've not heard any other plans out of the county commissioners nor the fair board on another way to make more money with the land than Bell's was.

[SJC TUL]

Oklahoma celebrates centennial by taking down the state's most famous and beloved roller coaster. (Click for photo.)