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Pez

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Posts posted by Pez

  1. 8 hours ago, Maddog said:

    Reading a lot of these comments, which many are incredibly one-sided, makes me think some of you have never dealt with "bad neighbors"--especially those who move in after you previously had good/great neighbors.  Did ya'll actually fully read the posted articles?

    To me, the Enquirer opinion piece reflects a bit more of the above experience.  What might have been a great situation before where everyone was happy (neighbors, city, park), when KI started out is now a bit strained (at least for one of the parties).  Unfortunately verbal agreements and assurances don't hold water after new ownership.  It appears the city doesn't want to rock the boat, even admitting they don't have an enforceable ordinance (which could be interpreted as "badly written" or "if actually enforced, would have many violators", and don't they want to rock that money boat ;)).  

    I for one can somewhat understand the plight of the neighbors.  Something that grates on your nerves, increasing over time, does eventually reach a breaking point.  Going the PR route to get Cedar Fair to have a conversation is a rather inexpensive "next step" before going the court route (anyone here remember Howard Ain, the Troubleshooter!).  Sure some of the statements/expectations are over the top, but that's negotiating 101...  Honestly the park may already be reaching out to acknowledge their concerns and we would never know.  

    But having noise abatement efforts as part of an ongoing building process can help "keep it down" over the long haul.  Efforts could be made such that physical growth of the park does not also mean noise growth.   Getting some agreements in writing is key.  

     

     

    Getting something in writing is a terrible idea for Kings Island.  Why jump to a binding agreement?  The man wrote an opinion piece in the local paper asking strangers to contact the Ohio department of agriculture on his behalf.  From what I can tell, he's invested $0 in this.  He has no appreciable leverage in the situation.  Kings Island is doing exactly what they should be doing, ignoring him.  If he manages to pull a rabbit out of his hat, deal with it at that time.  Chances are this will all blow over and we'll have forgotten about it by next season.

  2. The sound from tall coasters travel because it is above the foliage so the noise isn't baffeled.  It will travel a lot farther because of that.  Walls and trees probably wouldn't mitigate the noise very much. That said, Orion is a long way from any housing.  There might be a handful of houses that could hear some rumbling.  I heard faint rumbling when I kayaked the Little Miami so some of those houses with river frontage will probably hear it too.  I would be amazed if they could hear anything inside their houses.  In short, it seems Orion will inconvenience a few people in a very minor way.

    I find his call to action in his enquirer opinion piece distasteful.  He is attempting to apply pressure to Kings Island because of something Kings Island paid his grandfather for.  Kings Island would have almost certainly have paid a premium for the property very likely for the purpose of adding some distance to buffer sound.  If his campaign is successful, it won't be good for us because it could mean restricting the rides operating hours.

    Mr. Taylor also complained that Cedar Fair didn't run their plans by the community.  They don't have to.  What if the community members said no?  Then they would have a problem where none existed before.  "We want to build a $30 million coaster that will greatly benefit our business and tourism in the Cincinnati area. Let's make sure Ken's on board!"  Its absurd.

    • Like 2
  3. I have no sympathy for Mr. Taylor.  His grandfather sold land for the park and could have negotiated for noise considerations.  Concerns about noise would have been present 50 years ago.  He apparently opted for the cash instead.  Now a legatee two generations later bemoans he state of his inheritance.  Kings Island is the only part of Mason east of the 71.  All the surrounding residences are in Deerfield Township.  Residents of Mason don't hear anything except fireworks.  Orion won't change that.  I am sure the Mason residents are more concerned with their own enjoyment of the park and it's tax, employment and tourism revenue than the noise concerns of a man who inherited what remained after his grandfather sold land to be used for the park's construction.  Mason officials have every reason to accommodate Kings Island and no reason to do anything for Mr. Taylor.  Mr. Taylor has an adequate remedy in court for a nuisance action. However, the fact he acquired the land from someone who sold a portion of the land knowing it was going to be used as an amusement park would seem to provide a formidable defense.

    • Like 2
  4. I would like to see black supports with forest green track and orange trains for the section where it is going to run parallel to The Beast break run.  That would really enhance the worst part of The Beast.  Especially if they can make that section roar.  I think that would really add to The Beast experience.  Hearing an oncoming roar, looking over and through the trees catching a glimpse of something big and orange booking through the forest at 80-90 MPH.  

    • Like 8
  5. This is not legal advice, but recording a notice of commencement is required before the performance of labor or work.  ORC 1311.04(A) (1).  The notice expires after six years.  ORC 1311.04(S).  "2018, 2019 & 2020 Additions & Modifications to Kings Island Park" is a brief description of the improvement to be performed on the property.  ORC 1311.04 (B) (2).  It is supposed to contain sufficient specificity to permit lein claimants to identify the improvement.  Id.  

  6. You might be right fryoj.  My friend who works at the Warren County Department of Roller Coasters said if they don't have construction completed by midnight on December 31, 2020 ownership of the park reverts to Scooby Doo.  

    I believe Kings Island has plans to build a Giga coaster because Mike Koontz made public the fact he asked the Cedar Fair Board for it.  He wouldn't have mentioned it if he wasn't fairly certain it was going to happen.  This is bolstered by the fact that they filed a notice of commencement with the county listing B&M as a contractor and B&M makes giga coasters.  I don't think it will be a wing or dive coaster because Cedar Point has those.  Holiday World also has a wing coaster.  No other park in the region has a B&M giga so that would be the stand out addition.  

    I am not convinced that Kings Island is committed to opening the prospective giga coaster in 2020 because of the filing of the notice of commencement.  I don't know if that means the work of those contractors is expected to be complete by 2020 or if that was a list of contractors they planned to engage within the three year time frame even though their work may not be complete before the end of 2020.  I am unaware of the legality present necessitating the filing.  Personally, I give more weight to what Mike Koontz said.

    • Like 1
  7. GM Koontz told the crowd at coasterstock last year that he requested the Cedar Fair board invest in a Giga coaster for Kings Island in the next 3-4 years.  That would put us at 2021-2022.  The hype fence might not go up until next year.   The soonest we could see land clearing is later this year.  The markers would be out of sight so we might not be able to tell if anything is going on back there.  I'm afraid the speculation will have to continue for some time.  It does seem a bit out of character for Kings Island to rush the Firehawk demolition (complete with station removal), but taking this to mean construction is imminent is likely fallacious.  

    • Haha 1
  8. This article has me wondering if Cedar Fair has plans to get into the hotel game near Kings Island.  The grass patch at the corner of Kings Island Drive and Western Row wold seem to be an ideal spot with easy freeway access with the new ramps.  Other investors have already put up a new hotel off Kings Island Drive and then there is interest in putting in a campground so there must be data showing a demand for more rooms in the area.  I expect the demand would not just be vacationers, but business travelers as well with the increasing investment in commercial facilities along Innovation Way.  Something like what they are doing down at Carrowinds would seem a perfect fit.

    • Like 2
  9. I enjoyed the reds HOF grill when it first opened but it became less interesting over time.  Sports bars have given way to breweries so this is a good direction.  the ROHF grill predates both Chef Nate and Chef Major so its good to see them take "ownership" of the space.  I expect the quality to improve as a result.  I spend a lot of my free time at the local breweries and they are surprisingly family oriented and it is common to see kids in them.  I never would have thought to take my kids to a brewhouse, but millennials think differently.  Kid friendly is a requirement for Kings Island so there is definitely a pattern to follow to make it work.  

    • Like 1
  10. I am not so concerned about the conference call.  Missed second quarter earnings would not lead to the abandonment of a multi-million dollar asset within a few months.  The removal is more likely related to the work Kings Island contracted with B&M to perform, maintaining the park at the right size considering the new addition and location of the new B&M coaster.

    • Like 6
  11. I hope the antique cars return.  It also looks like a ferris wheel could be added.  I think these would be great additions because there are not a lot of low intensity rides not specifically aimed at kids.  I love the coasters and more intense rides, but the woman can't do them anymore.  There isn't much to do when we are there together.  We could definitely do antique cars and a ferris wheel though.  It also looks like The Racer is getting some love.  RMC seems like a stretch.  I thought they weren't doing topper track retracting anymore.  I rode blue yesterday and it ran alright.  It's still a good ride.  It definitely could use some paint, but i'm not convinced they are throwing additional millions for a significant track alteration or new trains.

  12. On 7/3/2018 at 11:40 AM, Rooh said:

    Please advise where the policy prohibiting use of sidewalk chalk in the park may be found.  You suspended 2 platinum passes for 60 days for sidewalk chalk, which is not damaging or permanent, with no such policy posted on the property.  No warning, no additional feedback, request to stop, etc?  Just oh hey you wasted hundreds of dollars on those passes.  We had to cancel our trip to Cedar Point because of this as well.  Please justify your overly harsh reaction.

    This is petty revenge.  Nothing more, nothing less.  Rooh's posts lack an honest telling of the event and is intended to invoke I'll feelings toward Kings Island and Cedar Fair.  Note that Rooh quickly took the cowards flight once called out.  We won't be getting any further information concerning the affair from either party.

    • Like 2
  13. Well...there is a pic.  On the twitter account of @kailyn_miles.  "Kail" described the event in her post.  The reporter in the now removed link did contact Kings Island and if I recall correctly, Kings Island acknowledged the event.  What is the standard of proof for allowing the topic and who decides?  Is it up to the whim of the moderators?

  14. I think the building is good, but needs an update.  Using shingles as siding has a certain 70's charm, but I'm not a fan.  With the park embracing international street as a showplace with the light show to go with the fireworks and the circus act they has last year, I think adding a deck would be great.  A rooftop viewing area may be a good add, or maybe not because of sightlines over the international street facades.  

  15. 1 minute ago, LoadAndGo said:

    I think those are the little buildings that were under the tower during Winterfest. I heard that the old graveyard is being used for Winterfest storage now.

    Well, that just makes a lot of sense.  I think you're right.

    • Like 2
  16. I don't know what's going on back there.  I know what I saw and what I was told.  I realize the elevator operator may be a close relation to the dippin dots guy, but that's what she said.  I cannot attest to the veracity of her statement.  I don't think they're slapping roofs on shipping containers though.  They are doing something back there.  It is a construction site.  Regardless of filings with the County Recorder, they have erected about ten structures with metal roofs on either side of a larger roofed structure.  Maybe they are dorms.  Maybe they're cabins.  Maybe it's a storage area.  I don't know.  Importantly to this thread, there is construction work going on near Dinosaurs Alive that does not appear to be related to the construction of a giga coaster. 

  17. I saw new buildings when I gazed upon the Island from atop the tower on Friday.  They are located off the service road behind the old Dinosaurs Alive path just after the junction with the service road that goes between Firehawk and Dinosaurs Alive.  The OVC guys were up there too and posted a video of the new buildings.  They look like maintainence buildings to me.  I asked the elevator operator if those buildings are new and she said that a few guests have asked her about them but she didn't know.  She followed up by saying the park was adding dorms for exchange students.  I assume she meant seasonal foreign workers, but whatever.  I didn't think Kings Island uses enough of them to warrant building housing for them.  It also seems like an odd placement for dorms.  I would think dorms would be better located closer to Columbia and Great Wolf Drive since it is adjacent to a residential neighborhood.  So, my point is maybe the concrete work is for whatever is going on with the new maintainence buildings/dorms.

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