Financing in final phase

The developer of the proposed Main Street America theme park near Grayling said Monday he expects financing for the project to be in place "well before February."

Patrick Crosson, managing partner of Axiom Entertainment, spoke at the Crawford County Economic Development Partnership's third annual Government Forum at the Beaver Creek Township Hall.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director Rebecca Humphries last month gave Axiom until Feb. 5, 2009, to prove it has financing for the $160 million project as a prerequisite for sale of some 1,400 acres of state-owned land for the theme park. Crosson said he is working with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation on the "final phases" of financing. He said the biggest delay occurred when he had to start over on financing after the DNR canceled a letter of intent to sell the property to Axiom a year ago.

Under the requirements listed by Humphries, once financing is verified, Axiom would have until Nov. 5, 2009, to obtain all permits for the first phase of the project. Crosson said engineering and surveying work has started, and Axiom has agreed to all water protection requirements set by the Department of Environmental Quality.

When asked when ground will be broken for the project, Crosson said, "I'm not even going to touch that because I'm not done with the DNR." But he added, "The moment I can start, we're going to start."

However, the timetable set by Humphries requires that grading be completed, foundations in place and construction underway for the 640-acre first phase of the project by Nov. 5, 2010. Another 160 acres would be transferred to Axiom for water and wastewater treatment facilities, with completion by Jan. 5, 2012.

Next will be transfer of 540 acres for an "agricultural component," an outdoor amphitheater, a resort hotel, industrial development and campgrounds. Crosson said Michigan State University will operate a farm and an organization called Partners Green will operate a campus on the site. He said at least six state universities will have 10 interns apiece working at the park.

The developer said Michigan Works! will help recruit area workers for the park. "Our objective is to hire within this local community," he said. Kirtland Community College will be involved in a center with a capacity of training 2,000 employees a year, Crosson said. Main Street America also will work with area school districts, he said.

The development will include "a complete recycling program," and a possible trash gasification facility has been designed, specifications have been drawn up and financing is in place, Crosson said.

"We fully expect...we'll be pretty close to 100% energy selfsufficient," he said.

The final 230-acre transfer, for commercial development, is to take place by Jan. 5, 2012.

Earlier in Monday's meeting, Laura Aylesworth of the engineering firm URS Corporation said a traffic study indicates the I-75 Four Mile Road interchange, closest to the theme park site, will require expansion to accommodate theme park traffic. The study recommends making the North Down River Road exit into a full access interchange for traffic bound for Grayling and Traverse City. Aylesworth said the Higgins Lake and Roscommon freeway exits will be adequate to handle traffic for the next 20 years.