Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 19, 1993 TAG: 9311190172
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MANASSAS LENGTH: Short
"Obviously we're disappointed," Prince William County Executive Jim Mullen told reporters.
Lego plans a $100 million theme park based on its popular plastic building blocks. The park will include amusement rides and educational features aimed at families.
Lego spokesman David M. Lafrennie said an announcement will be made today at La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad.
"Senior-most Lego officials from Denmark are flying in now and will make the site selection known then," he said.
The Lego decision came a week after Walt Disney Co. delighted Virginia officials with the surprise announcement of a new theme park about 25 miles from the proposed Lego site.
The Disney park would be much larger than the Lego project when it opens in 1998.
Although both companies have said they did not consider the other's plans in making a decision, Gov. Douglas Wilder said Lego opted not to compete with the larger firm.
"It appears that the recent decision by the Walt Disney Co. to build a new theme park in Haymarket . . . created concerns among Lego officials about directly competing with that facility," Wilder said.
Wilder said he holds out hope Lego may consider Virginia if the toymaker decides to build a second American park.
Memo: NOTE: Longer version ran in State edition.