"This new site definitely has less of an impact on residents,"Candice Bock, economic development administrator for Lakewood,tells GlobeSt. "But what was most important in selecting the newsite is the ease of access, the better visibility and the lowercost of infrastructure." Though Lakewood has yet to officiallyapprove the development, Bock says the city is currently working ona memorandum of understanding with the Great Northwest Developmentthat would outline the public-private partnership between the cityand the developer.

The city is very interested in seeing the theme park come tofruition and has discussed the possibility of purchasing the 80acres of land for the theme park, says Bock, as well as additionalproperty needed for a parking lot. The city is talking with Tacomaofficials about partnering on the project, and considering the useof public money to pay for necessary infrastructure.

"Obviously, this is a significant tourism project," says Bock."Preliminary indications are that it will attract 1.2 to 2 millionvisitors a year to the region, and if a small fraction of those areovernight visitors, you can imagine the impact it will have on ourhospitality industry. And in addition to the tax revenues the citywill receive, we will also receive an admissions tax when someonebuys a ticket."