Natalie Koch responds:

Decision to bail wasn't unanimous.

Part of the fear was Mr. Workman, who she said has been "wonderful," isn't going to be with the Fair Board:

http://m.wdrb.com/default.aspx?pid=2705&wnfeedurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.wdrb.com%2fstory%2f18805963%2fkoch-family-responds-to-bluegrass-boardwalk-decision%3fclienttype%3drssstory

I think that KK is doomed now. Time for KI to get the Flying Dutchman back.....perhaps a Ferris Wheel.

Natalie Koch, now with video:

http://www.wdrb.com/story/18805963/koch-family-responds-to-bluegrass-boardwalk-decision

Bring the flying dutchman, and the ferris wheel to KI!

What about Ed Hart that was willing????

Ed Hart has now refused to say if he is interested. The Fair Board has expressed interest in looking at other uses for the property.

Last I knew, the Fair Board wanted a new Hotel. Sounds like a good use.....perhaps their plan all along.

Maybe it'll turn into a mall like SFNO.

^I think you mean Jazzland!

What makes the Fair Board so difficult to deal with? And who technically owns the park, now? If it's the Fair Board, and they have no intention to do anything with any of the rides, why not sell them to Kings Island? We desperately need a few more flats in the park.

http://www.whas11.com/video/featured-videos/Bluegrass-Boardwalk-CEO-Speaks-Out-159313735.html

So... Will Bluegrass Boardwalk Inc. continue to be its own company... And if so, what might their future projects be?

It is highly unlikely to continue under that corporate organization and name, other than winding up the activities it began: ending contracts, etc.

That does not mean the Kochs won't branch out to more sensible expansions in the future. Some of the family who were a part of this venture definitely learned some very valuable lessons this time. At least one apparently still wanted to proceed. Natalie noted the vote to end the effort was not unanimous. Surprisingly, she told the press this. I get the impression that this venture divided family members even more than I already realized.

Which is sad. And I hate to hear that the decision wasn't unanimous. I really hope that there is no bad blood between the Kochs. They all seem so nice, and I feel like they've been through alot.

I wonder if Morgan RV's decided to ever sell Indiana Beach, would they be interested in that park? It seems that IB has gotten better this season, but it may take a few seasons to regain the customers that have lost over the past few years.

^

I would love to see the Koch Family running Indiana Beach...they have such a reputation for well-run, clean, and friendly amusement parks and those 3 things are IB's current "weak" points. Plus, Indiana Beach has some solid wooden coasters- something Holiday World is also known for.

My only gripe would be, that if IB got better & better, they would also likely become much more crowded, and I'm not sure how well their low-capacity rides like LoCo SuMo would handle that... (3+ hour wait on a normal weekend in May?)

The fair board is now reporting that a couple of national park operators may be interested...

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20120618/NEWS01/306180061/Mayor-s-office-offering-help-new-theme-park-deal

I have a very difficult time believing that:

Cedar Fair? I doubt it.

Herschend? Way too smart to do it.

Six Flags? Har Har Har.

Busch? And they left Ohio?

Palace? No.

Maybe a carnival operator. Maybe. I doubt even that.

I see you didn't assess the likelihood of Disney, Merlin, or Universal leasing the park?

Disney's Kentucky Kingdom has quite a ring to it!

Har har har indeed!

"If you're thinking about buying this car, you better hurry! I've got another couple lined up at the door who will happily jump at the bit if you don't!" Seems like a pretty awful sales tactic at this point.

I have a very difficult time believing that:

Cedar Fair? I doubt it.

Herschend? Way too smart to do it.

Six Flags? Har Har Har.

Busch? And they left Ohio?

Palace? No.

Maybe a carnival operator. Maybe. I doubt even that.

You forgot Paramount

Wow. After Natalie Koch went out of her way to say nice things about Mr. Workman, he calls the Koch family a little naive:

http://m.wave3.com/autojuice?targetUrl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.wave3.com%2fstory%2f18818173%2fofficials-speak-out-about-lo

Crass and no class.

I have a very difficult time believing that:

Cedar Fair? I doubt it.

Herschend? Way too smart to do it.

Six Flags? Har Har Har.

Busch? And they left Ohio?

Palace? No.

Maybe a carnival operator. Maybe. I doubt even that.

You forgot Paramount

Cedar Fair bought all rights to Paramount Parks in North America for 10 years as part of its 2006 acquisition.

Even overseas, Viacom, who has the rights elsewhere, is only interested in licensing its intellectual property, at least so far.

One thing I don't understand is why they were throwing around the idea of a 50-year lease. Why on earth would anyone want to lease something for 50 years, especially when there's no guarantee you'll be able to profit from it?

Why would they want to build the park up in a shorter period of time, only to lose it at the end of the lease?

I have a very difficult time believing that:

Cedar Fair? I doubt it.

Herschend? Way too smart to do it.

Six Flags? Har Har Har.

Busch? And they left Ohio?

Palace? No.

Maybe a carnival operator. Maybe. I doubt even that.

You forgot Paramount

Cedar Fair bought all rights to Paramount Parks in North America for 10 years as part of its 2006 acquisition.

Even overseas, Viacom, who has the rights elsewhere, is only interested in licensing its intellectual property, at least so far.

I know, I was kidding.

More:

http://www.whas11.com/community/blogs/political-blog/Turmoil-at-Fair-Board-a-factor-in-Bluegrass-Boardwalk-walking-away-from-project-159387395.html

I just think it's such a joke to imagine that two major, nationwide operators are suddenly getting googly eyes about this park that no one seems to be actively supporting anymore. One of the two previous lessees gave said it couldn't possibly be open until 2014, and that was contingent upon them taking control immediately. Any new suitor would have to travel the arduous paths of legal work and red-tape that took nearly a year apiece for each of the previous would-be tenants.

The fair board have been so opaque about this process and the park condition and now they're trying to sell this as a sought-after property? In their dreams, I'd say...

Legoland Louisville?

What an unfortunate turn of events for the deserted park. With any luck, the fair board will see the writing on the wall (although, I'm not willing to hold my breath)- if a family with a history of successful business ventures in family entertainment is unwilling to sign a deal, the possibilities of others doing the same is very slim.

With all the pre-contract commentary from Mr. Hart, I'm surprised he is not talking now.

He is:

http://www.whas11.com/news/local/Hart-does-not-expect-return-to-Ky-Kingdom-offers-advice-for--159632395.html

Legoland Louisville?

Well, they DID buy Cypress Gardens, which I would have never expected...