A rock ‘n’ roll-themed amusement park in Eloy is one step closer to reality now that the House of Representatives has approved a measure that would pave the way for the park’s construction and sent the bill to the Senate for a final vote.
Supporters of the bill, which was approved by a 39-17 vote in the House, say it’s an economic-development tool that will create jobs and transform one of the state’s most rapidly growing rural areas.
Rep. Bill Konopnicki, a Safford Republican, said the economic downturn underscores the need to bring new jobs to Arizona.
“I think it’s time that we, as Republicans, stand up and do some things,” he said.
But opponents of S1450 say the state doesn’t have any right to meddle with the free market by passing designer legislation aimed at benefiting only one company.
“It’s unfair that we pick winners and losers. Government should never do that,” said Mesa Republican Russell Pearce.
Critics also object to the provisions of the bill, which would create a special theme-park district to govern the park, issue bonds to pay for construction and levy a sales tax within the park.
Gilbert Republican Andy Biggs called the idea “absurd” and said the private sector should be able to raise any funds without government intervention.
“If these investors want to build this theme park, they should put together a coalition, raise the money and build the theme park,” he said.
Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, another Republican from Gilbert, said the Legislature was going through an awful lot of effort to help the developers of the proposed Decades Music Theme Park, despite the refusal by project leaders to identify their investors, who are required under the bill to raise $100 million before bonds can be issued.
“Even if this is good policy…we’re doing this for a corporation we don’t know anything about,” he said.
But Rep. Ray Barnes, a northeast Phoenix Republican, said the bill would give the proposed $800 million, 240-acre theme park a chance to succeed, which would create jobs and help Eloy, Pinal County and the state by generating tax revenue.
“Not only that, but I’ve got some grandkids who may want to go down there,” he said.
The bill has been sent back to the Senate because an amendment was added in the House. Senate Majority Leader Thayer Verschoor, who sponsored the bill, helped draft the House amendment and is expected to accept the House changes. If he does, the bill will be voted on by the entire Senate before being sent to the governor.
Construction of the theme park, which will feature roller coasters and other rock-‘n’-roll-themed rides, is slated to begin next year, with opening day scheduled for 2012.