River Bluff Economic Development Proposal Submitted for Vision 2025 August 2015 An Engine For Economic Development

2 “Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood…” Daniel Burnham

3 AMUSEMENT PARKS IN THE U.S. HAD 300 MILLION VISITORS LAST YEAR

4 The Tulsa World published a story a month ago on places Tulsan’s miss most. Number One was Bell’s Amusement Park.

Map 1 River Bluff Site Location 5 Sand Springs South Tulsa, Bixby Proposed Site Southeast Tulsa, BA North Tulsa, Owasso East Tulsa, Catoosa, Claremore Northwest Tulsa, Sperry, Skiatook West Tulsa, Jenks, Glenpool

ADULT DETENTION CENTER CLOSED – REPLACED BY COUNTY JAIL FIRE TRAINING CENTER - REPLACED BY NEW FACILITY OFF SITE JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER – REPLACEMENT FUNDED OFF SITE REMAINING FACILITIES - MOST 45+ YEARS OLD 6 RIVER BLUFF PROPOSED SITE CURRENT STRUCTURES

7 Tulsa County Social Service Tulsa County Vehicle Maintenance Tulsa County Juvenile Justice Tulsa County Parks City Dog Park Adult Detention Center Tulsa City Vehicle Maintenance Old Tulsa Fire Academy Tulsa City Maintenance Proposed Site of River Bluff Amusement Park

8 Elitch Gardens, Denver Colorado

RIVER BLUFF AMUSEMENT PARK Imagine an amusement park in the heart of the City. It would sit on the banks of the Arkansas River. The view from the elevated rides would be spectacular – the downtown skyline and the Arkansas River would predominate. 9 Elitch Gardens, Denver Colorado The benefits of creating it would be great. Increased sales tax revenue, seasonal jobs, and most important of all a place where Tulsa area families could share good times and build lasting memories.

Project Challenges Cost To relocate the County and City facilities and to clear the site will be expensive. Cooperation This project would work best if the County and City governments agreed to the plan. It could move forward with City participation alone but would probably require the acquisition of private land. Timeframe A project of this magnitude could take four maybe as long as five years to complete. Relocating Facilities Relocating the facilities while time consuming and expensive but would not be a major obstacle. There are alternative sites nearby and the project budget would provide funding. 10

Summary of Costs County Relocation Costs County Social Services Building$6.0 Million County Vehicle Maintenance Facility$1.0 County Parks Office Building$0.8 Total County Relocation$7.8 Million City Relocation Costs City Vehicle Maintenance Facility$2.25 Million Other Maintenance and Storage Facilities$1.0 Joe Station Bark Park$0.25 Relocate.6 miles of Charles Page Blvd. $3.0 Total City Relocation$6.5 Million Cost to clear and remove the existing structures $1.0 Million Contingency 20%$3.1 Million Total Project Cost (no private land purchase)$19.1 Million 11

Is 42 acres enough land for an amusement park? Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens is 22 acres, and hosts over four million visitors annually. Denver’s Elitch Gardens is 45 acres (minus water park). It’s metropolitan area’s population is three times the size of our city. Tulsa’s much loved Bell’s Amusement Park was only 16 acres. 12 Elitch Gardens, Denver, Colorado

River Bluff Annual Economic Impact $50,000,000 Amusement Park Construction $25,000,000 in Annual Economic Activity $910,000 in Annual City Sales Tax $500,000 in Annual Lease Payments An Engine For Economic Development

14 Estimated Annual Attendance 2,3 RevenueCity Sales 3.7% Admission 1 $ ,000 $ 15,000, $ 540,000 Food, Gifts, Etc. $ ,000 $ 10,000, $ 370,000 Annual City Tax Revenue $ 910, Annual Park Gross Revenue $ 25,000, % Gross Revenue Land Lease Fee 4 $ 500, Estimated Economic Impact Of River Bluff Amusement Park 1. Frontier City admission price. 2. A recent survey found that 50% of Americans plan to visit an amusement park in the next year. Since the Tulsa MSA has one million residents the attendance is projected to be 500, This is 63% of Frontier City/White Water Bay’s "Best Year" and 25% of Silver Dollar City's annual attendance. 4. Bell's paid the Fairgrounds $165,000 per year for 16 acres. This payment is calculated off leasing 42 acres. Note: Industry’s Rule of Thumb is to invest $100 in construction cost for desired first year guest - $100 x 500,000 = $50,000,000

Map 3 15

16 City/Private Property Plan