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Kalahari hearing draws a crowd
Date published: 1/16/2008
BY EMILY BATTLE
For more than three hours last night, more than 50 people told Fredericksburg's City Council what they thought about plans to offer incentives to Kalahari Resorts for its plan to build a $200 million water park hotel in Celebrate Virginia. As of 10:15 last night, speakers had come out nearly 3-to-1 in favor of the project, but several voiced strong opposition. Several speakers referred to past events that paved the way for the Kalahari project. Former Mayor Bill Greenup and former Councilman Harold Bannister said they thought past councils showed great foresight in annexing the city land to the west of Interstate 95 and rezoning the land for Celebrate Virginia. But Kitty Farley, who spent hours sitting in the public hearing back in 1998 that preceded the council's controversial vote for the rezoning for Celebrate Virginia, said she feels the Kalahari decision could be as detrimental to the city as she thinks that decision was. Like several other speakers, she asked council members to slow down, and to wait until they receive and analyze the results of an outside consultant's study of the project's impact before they approve anything. "It feels like dejà vu all over again," Farley said, referring back to the 1998 vote on Celebrate Virginia. "Please don't repeat the past mistakes of City Councils by rushing this decision." Many speakers brought up concerns that have been voiced throughout this debate--whether there's enough water for a giant water park and how much traffic the project will bring. City officials have said they have the capacity to meet Kalahari's water needs, and that the traffic impact won't hit at rush hour. Other speakers questioned the sustainability of the water park business. As the city is watching revenues from Central Park, once its prized cash cow, dwindle, several residents wondered what happens if water parks fall out of favor with tourists? City resident Anne Gray Fuller asked whether the city could believe the promises that have been made that Kalahari will be the catalyst that gets Celebrate Virginia going. "It has been called an anchor that would spur development," she said. "I thought the conference center was supposed to do that."
Read more stories about Fredericksburg Date published: 1/16/2008
then that leaves me with the wear and tear on my car so there goes the other 4$. so what did I get out of this wonderful job you say that i may or maynot get.... and I know Im not the only one out here in the same spot.. many many more are like me and more comen to my shoes... now I dont see life so easy as you do I see what I gotta live by daily sweetie and if m wrong then so be it, I will not stoop to your levell of thinken and or name callen... so have a wonderful day.
So you really think its going to benefit us all that great.. well I dont think it will.. You must not live on the poor side of life where money does count for every cent that is spent... Just like penneltons in caroline county oh its suppose to bring in jobs and bring in money all it has brought was more people and more trash pileups. like I said its going to beni who. you, me, yea ok.. I see being paid no more then about 8$ an hour if that, and well lets see 4$ of that goes to gas per gallon,
Grammy, the city isn't spending the 225 mil. Thats working capital Kalahari is going to invest in Fredericksburg. Which, by the way , will be in real estate improvements, personel &inventory that will be taxed to generate money for your schools. The 'money' you think we are giving them is waiving of fees ( which don't cost us anything) and If and only if they raise 121 million n taxes for city first, they will be refunded some of that. City hasnt tried to project taxes & benifits from spendn outside park
Grammy- you've really got to be kidding...You call for more schools & parks while berating workers not in the top tax brackets and slam a project that will generate spending (taxes) on many different levels. When city revenues rise so does . HOW DO YOU THINK THEY PAY FOR SCHOOLS and PARKS?? No such thing as a school and park fairy. Einsten,that Screen name is truly a misnomer, Class A office projects to accomodate the 3,000 new jobs being brought to Quantico is what brings in the high paying jobs
to the finish... lol,
Some of us in this world cant even afford the gas prices to even go to work, here they are spend wastefull money on a park worth 225 million.. Come on NOW ...man I can think of alot of things to spend that money on and some of it was already said..Some of our roads needs to be fixed how bout helpen with that and so . They always said spend your money wisely.... HOW ABOUT A COMPANY FULL TIME AND WITH GOOD BENI'S.. I know I could use a good job with beni's.. lol
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