Rock N Roll Theme Park Takes Shape In Phoenix

AZ Star Net reports: *Huey Lewis never dreamed the heart of rock 'n' roll would land in Eloy. But if a group of theme-park imaginers get their way, you could easily grab a bite to eat in the Haight-Ashbury District, take a ride on the Grand Funk Railroad and check into the Hotel California (just don't expect to check out), without venturing too far from Tucson. Those are some of the attractions potentially taking shape at a large scale rock 'n' roll theme park — if the designers are able to persuade state lawmakers to give them special taxing authority. They say the development would revolutionize tourism and growth in the corridor between Tucson and Phoenix. The grandiose plan, announced Wednesday, would take 300 acres of privately owned land in Eloy, just southeast of where Interstates 8 and 10 intersect, and transform them into a sprawling $800 million theme park dedicated to America's rock 'n' roll history.

Named "Decades," the park would feature themed rides and attractions nestled in decade "lands" — the '60s would reflect the British Invasion and Motown influence whereas the '80s would emphasis the music-video age. Its planners hope to complete the park by 2012 and say it could handle a yearly attendance of more than 6 million, or about as many visitors as Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., receives and 2 million more a year than San Diego's SeaWorld attracts. In addition to the themed area, the complex would include an on-site 850-room high-rise hotel, 122,000 square feet of retail space and a 17,000-seat concert arena.* Read more of the story here.

MP3: Feist - The Park [alt link]