Tonawanda News

Local News

February 1, 2009

STUDIES: Long-awaited Oz theme park is still waiting on government approval.

By Caitlin Murray<br><a href="mailto:murrayc@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Caitlin</a>

Anthony DiBiase, a Wheatfield resident, is excited about the prospect of the Magical Lands of Oz theme park coming to the area. The way he sees it, the added jobs and tourism would be “a shot in the arm” boosting the local economy.

“I have always held out hope that this project would become a reality for the good of this area,” he said.

But these days, the proposed $800-million project’s future seems up in the air. It’s been nearly five months since Oz Central founder Richard Burch has publicly commented on the project and DiBiase, like many others in the Town of Wheatfield, is still wondering what’s happening with the Oz project — or if it will still even happen.

Burch did not return calls seeking comment but Robert O’Toole, Wheatfield town attorney, said the project is still on track — there just hasn’t been much movement lately.

The Gazette last spoke to Burch in September when he said the project was still waiting for the green light on environmental studies. This past week, O’Toole said things are still the same.

“The project is continuing move forward but there’s no time schedule,” O’Toole said.

O’Toole said officials from the town stay in regular contact with Oz Central, talking about two or three times weekly. But it appears the theme park is still going through a litany of studies before the next steps can begin. Studies include ones for plant life, wild life, noise, traffic, economy and sewage.

The various impact statements must be approved by government entities, including the state Department of Environmental Conservation, before being submitted to the town. Once town officials satisfactorily review everything, the project can go before the public in a hearing.

“The town remains optimistic and we’re very confident it’s going to happen,” O’Toole said.

But DiBiase isn’t so sure. He’s contacted town officials, who have been helpful in answering questions, but after being told for months studies are still being conducted, DiBiase is starting to lose faith.

“I hate to think that it is really not going to happen,” he said, “but I am really starting to believe that the naysayers were correct in saying this will never happen.”

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