LJWorld.com / Developer drops out from Oz

Archive for Friday, June 22, 2001

Theme park to seek new master planner

The Associated Press

June 22, 2001

Olathe — A company that was going to work with Oz Entertainment Co. to develop the former Sunflower Army Ammunition plant near DeSoto has changed its mind.

In February, when Oz officials announced the potential partnership with Briarcliff Development Co., they said it proved the project had continuing momentum even though it was essentially tabled by a Johnson County Commission vote in November. The deadlock was repeated in March.

Briarcliff, owned by Kansas City developer Charles Garney, had planned to form a partnership with a subsidiary of Colorado-based Hensel Phelps Construction Co.

The deal came together because Hensel Phelps wanted to work with Kathryn Thompson, who was Briarcliff's president until late May. A week or so after Thompson left the company, Briarcliff dropped its interest in Oz.

Oz officials said they would negotiate with other developers to act as a "master planner" of 6,000 acres at Sunflower. Oz would turn the remaining 3,000 acres into an $861 million Wizard of Oz theme park and resort if it is able to acquire the land from the federal government and win approval for the plan.

Garney said Briarcliff's decision to step aside had nothing to do with the Oz project itself. He said Briarcliff simply has higher priorities and a heavy workload developing.

Oz Chairman Robert Kory said Thompson would act as a consultant to Oz. The company has had interest from other developers, he said, particularly since a recent Wall Street Journal story detailing Oz's ambitions.