|
By Scott Nicholson
 CLICK HERE FOR RELATED VIDEO
Watauga County and Tweetsie Railroad are exploring a proposal
that would keep the Wild West theme park
at its current location "for the next 50 years and beyond."
Watauga planning director Joe Furman, who is acting economic developer
for the county, presented a proposal to the commissioners Monday
in which the county would buy land to support the theme park in
exchange for a long-term commitment to keep the business operating.
The county would also provide marketing money over the next six
years, with Tweetsie agreeing to add $13 million worth of park
improvements.
Two things needed to happen for Tweetsie to remain secure at its
present location, Furman told the commissioners. Tweetsie general
manager Chris Robbins must gain ownership of the theme park and
eventually purchase leased land that comprises two portions of
the approximately 300-acre park. All other land leases have been
extended through 2065, though Furman said the leased land could
change owners and put the park in jeopardy
Under the proposal, the county would pay $3.15 million to two
landowner groups, with the Tourism Development Authority providing
$200,000 toward that amount from occupancy-tax revenues. The county
would then lease the properties to the theme park for $1 a year
for six years. At that time, it would be leased at market value
until Tweetsie purchased the property from the county.
As proposed, the TDA would provide a $150,000 grant to Tweetsie
for marketing and promotion over the next six years, and the park
would make improvements over the next 20 years.
Robbins, who was at the meeting, said the report was complete
and had no additional information to present.
The commissioners scheduled a public hearing for May 20 for the
proposed partnership. The county and Tweetsie have been exploring
a potential economic-incentive package for several years due to
concerns over leases which threatened the future of the theme
park.
The group Dee Arthur Properties owns 142 acres of park territory,
and a long-term lease had been set to expire last year. Tweetsie
and the property group were able to negotiate a four-year lease,
but due to the uncertainty of future leases and the cost and time
of moving, the theme park had been investigating other sites in
the mountains and were prepared to move if necessary.
Sites in Wilkes and Catawba counties were explored as part of
that search, though Robbins maintained the park's primary wish
was to remain at its current location between Boone and Blowing
Rock on U.S. 321.
In 2006, Tweetsie reached agreement with the Broyhill family for
a long-term lease on another 46 acres that are part of the park.
Tweetsie owns 87 acres outright.
The park attracts about 250,000 visitors a year, and a private
study commissioned by the theme park showed it had an annual economic
impact of $27.4 million on the region and employs more than 300
people during the season, in addition to 26 full-time jobs.
Its 52nd season of operation began Friday. |
|
|
Get Firefox