UPDATE: Bill seeks entertainment zoning in all 95 counties on The Murfreesboro Post

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UPDATE: Bill seeks entertainment zoning in all 95 counties

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By: By Lisa Marchesoni - May 25, 2007 - 10:20 AM

All Tennessee counties will be eligible for entertainment zoning in an alternative bill proposed in the state Legislature, a state senator said.

This bill replaces the one seeking entertainment zoning for Bible Park USA only in Rutherford County, said state Sen. Jim Tracy, R-Shelbyville.

Bible Park USA developers, who hope to build the park in the Blackman community, asked Tracy and state Rep. Curt Cobb, D-Shelbyville, to sponsor a bill allowing the entertainment zoning with tax increment financing.

Increment means the difference between the taxes before the development occurs and after its completion. Tax increment financing allows the developer to pay down the bond on the project faster.

Armon Bar-Tur, the park sponsor, shared his concept this week with church pastors and Blackman community residents. He envisions the park would tell the historical story of the Bible with plays and exhibits. The proposed site is 200 acres near state Route 840 near Interstate 24.

The $150 to $200 million park would attract 800,000 to one million visitors annually who will bring sales tax revenues to the county, developers said.

State Sen. Reginald Tate, D-Memphis, proposed a similar bill allowing the new zoning and TIF for an Elvis Presley project in Memphis. Tate's bill allows the zoning and TIF in all 95 counties.

"Other communities wanted this ability," Tracy said Friday morning. "This gives them the same opportunity to have this tourism zone."

If the bill passes, developers of Bible Park USA may consider building in other counties other than Rutherford, the senator said. He expects the Senate will vote the bill on next week.

The legislation still would allow Rutherford County a chance to consider building the park in the county, Tracy said. Other counties may be interested in landing the park.

But Tracy said it's up to the Rutherford County Commission to approve the project.

"It's very irresponsible for me as a legislator to tell the county what to do and not to do," Tracy said. "The one (government) closest to the people is the most effective government."

Tagged under Bible Park, Bible Park USA, religious park, theme park

Member Opinions:

By: lam on 5/25/07
I think that the Chamber of Commerce need to talk with the people at Gaylord about theme parks before they bring one to Rutherford County.