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RED Development, city and state officials held an open house today to present
the LEGOLAND project and answer questions. I had the chance to drop by the
presentation on the way home from work today. I did not have time to stay for
the presentation, but I did pick up the handout detailing the project.
The area they are looking at is an ideal spot for the section on town they
From the Handout:
Begin Quote
LEGOLAND Missouri is not just another shopping center and entertainment
attraction.
- The proposed LEGOLAND park is just one component of a 200 acre development that includes retail, office, aquarium, convention center and hotel
- LEGOLAND and Sea Life Aquarium are international sucess stories, which entertain and educate millions of families with young children every year
- A LEGOLAND in Lee’s Summit will be only the firth LEGOLAND in the World and the second in the US and Sea Life will be the first in the country
- LEGOLAND California has been voted the number one theme park for Children in the United States for five years running, and LEGOLAND parks worldwide receive well over 90% guest satisfaction
- LEGOLAND offers exciting programs for schools that bring a classroom curriculum to life
Two-thirds of the money necessary to build this development will come from
private investment.
- Total cost of the project is $539 million
- The LEGOLAND park is asking for $110 million in public support
- Any financial risk associated with the TIF bonds will rest with the developer
“We see the LEGOLAND project as a great addition to an already fantastic quality
of life in Lee’s Summit and a substantial draw for the metro area of Kansas City
and the State of Missouri. We look forward to continue the process of bringing
these exciting international attractions to Lee’s Summit.”
John Ussher, LEGOLAND
Dan Lowe, RED Development
End quote
Illustration of proposed park:
Scan of
Handout
Other recent articles/editorials from the Kansas City Star:
Lee’s Summit must be skeptical in reviewing LEGOLAND proposal City should seek
an independent analysis of project finances
Theme park would be a great addition to KC area
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Yet another article discussing Legoland KC today.
"One day after Olathe officials rejected a proposed deal to build Legoland and
other attractions in the north part of the city, both the city and developers
said they were willing to continue discussions.
The developers said they would consider an alternative site suggested by the
city at the Great Mall of the Great Plains. Mall owners could not be reached
late Wednesday. The previous suggested site is a mile west of the Kansas 10
interchange with I-435."
The KC Star article:
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/15291366.htm
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In lugnet.loc.us.ks, Matthew Rausch wrote:
> City council results:
>
> NO, but fix the plan and come back.
>
> From the article:
> Among the problems: The proposal does not include a guaranteed revenue stream to
> pay for $64.3 million in bonds developers want the city to issue; public
> participation would exceed the 50 percent limit the city had asked for; and
> there was no dedicated revenue source to pay for the city police and fire
> protection to serve the development.
>
> Also, the Olathe mayor says he is excited about the possibility, but they city
> will not pay that amount without the guarantees.
Everything the City Council is asking for seems quite reasonable. If Legoland
can't make it work, then maybe it just wasn't meant to be there.
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What about the other amusement parks in the kansas city area? both past and
present? Like Jeepers, Fairyland, and Worlds Of Fun.? Why does anyone think
having Legoland on the door would make it work? What about Worlds of fun?
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City council results:
NO, but fix the plan and come back.
From the article:
Among the problems: The proposal does not include a guaranteed revenue stream to
pay for $64.3 million in bonds developers want the city to issue; public
participation would exceed the 50 percent limit the city had asked for; and
there was no dedicated revenue source to pay for the city police and fire
protection to serve the development.
Also from the article:
But Tim McKee, executive vice president of economic development for the Olathe
Chamber of Commerce, said it appears chances were growing slim that the project
would come to Olathe.
Article:
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/15283340.htm
From local talk radio:
RED Development the company which is developing the "O-Zone" complex including
Legoland says the deal is not dead and they are planning to return with a
modified financing package.
Also, the Olathe mayor says he is excited about the possibility, but they city
will not pay that amount without the guarantees.
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