07/31/2006

Reports say company wants to build theme park

GRAYLING (AP) — A company is interested in acquiring about 1,800 acres of state-owned land and developing it as a family theme park, according to records reviewed by a newspaper.

Rochester-based Axiom Entertainment has been discussing the project with state officials in Lansing, according to the records, which were obtained by The Bay City Times under the Freedom of Information Act.

Paperwork from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources shows Axiom is interested in the land near Grayling and along Interstate 75 that is available for industrial or commercial development.

The newspaper reported Sunday that the Main Street USA theme park could cost $160 million. The proposed park could employ up to 2,000 seasonal workers and 700 year-round, according to the documents.

Heidi Watson, a spokeswoman for Gov. Jennifer Granholm, said the governor's office doesn't discuss ongoing business negotiations. The company also declined to comment to the newspaper for its report.

Details about the park's theme weren't clear, since a formal business plan wasn't included in the DNR documents, which include handwritten notes, a meeting agenda and a letter of intent to sell property.

Axiom is seeking $25 million in help from the state for infrastructure improvements to the site, according to a March 30 agenda of discussion items for a meeting with Jim Epolito, president of the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

The company also would need the state to improve access to I-75, the agenda states.