LJWorld.com / House tentatively backs Oz extension

Archive for Tuesday, March 27, 2001

The Associated Press

March 27, 2001

Topeka — Forget going over the rainbow. Legislators just wanted to get over Oz the proposed theme park, that is.

The House spent nearly two hours Monday afternoon debating a bill to extend the deadline for developers to break ground on the proposed $861 million Johnson County attraction.

The bill extends the life of a state bonding package that would allow the project to be developed and the bonds to be repaid through taxes collected at the theme park and resort.

As amended, the bill would extend the deadline by one year, to July 1, 2002, as requested by Johnson County commissioners. The extension would give the county time to conduct its own feasibility study on the park, planned for the grounds of the former Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant near DeSoto.

The Johnson County Commission voted 2-2 this month to table the Oz project. It then voted 3-1 to ask legislators for an extension to conduct its own feasibility study.

Much of Monday's debate focused on the promises made by developers of the proposed Wonderful World of Oz theme park, which critics called "myth." Among those promises are increased jobs, tourism and development in western Johnson County.

The potential financial gain, even if the park fails, is enormous, Rep. John Ballou, R-Olathe, said. He speculated that the property could fetch developers hundreds of millions of dollars after the land is cleaned up by the federal government.

Rep. Tom Burroughs, D-Kansas City, said, "Oz has had nine years to do a feasibility study," Burroughs said. "It's time to put up or shut up."