THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 29, 1994 TAG: 9409290498
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
The Walt Disney Co. will seek a new location for its proposed Disney's America theme park because the original site in Northern Virginia was ``becoming a source of divisiveness,'' the company said Wednesday.
Disney announced plans last November to build the $625 million park on a site in Prince William County about 35 miles from Washington.
``We recognize that there are those who have been concerned about the possible impact of our park on historic sites in this unique area, and we have always tried to be sensitive to the issue,'' said Peter S. Rummell, president of Disney Design and Development Co.
``While we do not agree with all their concerns, we are seeking a new location so that we can move the process forward,'' Rummell said in a statement.
Opponents of the park have repeatedly stressed concerns about traffic gridlock and the park's impact on the environment.
Historians and preservationists also have joined the battle, saying Disney planned to offer ersatz history only six miles from the site of the famous Manassas Civil War battlefields.
Rummell said the company will begin immediately to seek a less controversial site ``where we can concentrate on our creative vision.''
``We believe this is the best way to ensure the success of the project and to speed its opening,'' he said.
Rummell said the company still considers Virginia ``an ideal place for this park, and we are eager to work'' with Gov. George F. Allen in the search for a new location.
Allen had been a strong supporter of Disney's America and had pushed a $160 million package of incentives for Disney through the General Assembly.
``I'm committed to a Disney theme park in Virginia and the jobs that will be created thereby,'' Allen said of Disney's announcement. ``I'm pleased that the Walt Disney Company shares that commitment.''
Robert Skunda, state secretary of economic development, said state officials were ``still reeling from the announcement.''
He said the incentives ``are all erased. It's back to ground zero.''
``We are just pleased that they finally saw the light,'' said Pam Gagne of Protect Prince William County, a group opposed to the park. ``Their reputation as an environmentally conscious company will be upheld. They made the right decision.
``This was not the right spot for it,'' she said.
Disney's announcement came a week after Prince William County planners voted to support a rezoning application and special use permits for the park.
Opponents, however, had pledged to keep fighting the park.
Rummell said that while Disney was confident it would eventually win all necessary permits, ``it has become clear that we could not say when the park would be able to open, or even when we could break ground.'' Disney had planned to open the park in 1998.
``Implicit in our vision for the park is the hope that it will be a source of pride and unity for all Americans. We certainly cannot let a particular site undermine that goal by becoming a source of divisiveness,'' Rummell said.
Kathleen K. Seefeldt, chairwoman of the Prince William County of Supervisors, said, ``Obviously, we're disappointed. But we will undoubtedly see major economic development proposals for this area of Prince William County.''
Rummell named John F. Cooke, president of The Disney Channel, to the new position of chairman of Disney's America.
Dana Nottingham, who was director of development of Disney's America, was named president of the park. by CNB