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Published: September 01, 2008 11:26 pm
WHEATFIELD: Oz theme park moves ahead — slowly
By Caitlin Murray
E-mail Caitlin
Niagara Gazette
Town of Wheatfield and Oz Central heads are still on board with the proposed $800 million Magical Lands of Oz theme park, but things are moving at a slower pace than they would like.
The company has been working for months to complete a litany of studies, including ones for plant life, wild life, noise, traffic, economy and sewage, said Oz Central President Richard Burch said this past week. But for now, the project’s next steps are still on hold as impact studies continue through the pipeline.
“The team is here (in Wheatfield) working hard,” Burch said. “Our intent is to see this through.”
Robert O’Toole, attorney for the town, said there is “ongoing communication” between the town and Oz Central and progress is being made, but the studies are the company’s responsibility so town officials are waiting for the final evaluations to be submitted.
“It’s up to them to conduct studies and submit them,” O’Toole said. “Until they make a formal submission, the town can’t act.”
The various impact statements, which will analyze potential issues and solutions, must be approved by government entities, including the state Department of Environmental Conservation, before being submitted to the town. Once town officials satisfactorily review everything, the project can go before a public hearing.
But that probably won’t be anytime in the immediate future. Burch said he’s hopeful he will have some updates on the impact studies in the next few weeks, but stressed that — for now — the project’s timeline is not up to Oz Central.
The proposed theme park would feature attractions based around the “Wizard of Oz” books and was pitched to town officials and residents back in 2006.
The first phase of the project would include the construction of a 442-acre theme park in the eastern portion of the 800-acre complex, sitting within the boundaries of Williams, Jagow, River and Witmer roads. Roughly 85 percent of the attractions would be located indoors, allowing the park to operate year round. Construction of a themed flagship hotel with 200 rooms and dining and entertainment facilities, an administration building and other needed structures for operations would be part of the first phase as well.
Future phases could include more hotels, retail, dining and entertainment facilities.
Contact reporter Caitlin Murrayat 282-2311, ext. 2251.
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