MUSCLE SHOALS – Local and state politicians are having a lot to talk about this afternoon as word is spreading like wildfire about a proposed 14-hundred acre theme park on the TVA Reservation in Muscle Shoals. But hold on… Hold on. In an effort to not put the proverbial cart before the proverbial horse, it is wise to slow down and take a look at just what has been said and done.
Today, rumors began spreading around The Shoals about a South African media production company operating out of Fort Worth and Orlando that has expressed an interest in developing a swath of land along 2nd Street between Woodward and Highway 41 into a theme park. Company officials with DreamVision say that they’re interested in developing the site into a family friendly attraction. They indicate that it’s going to take $3.5-billion. The DreamVision website’s banner says the company intends to, “Re-Define Family Entertainment Landscape Globally. The Next Disney/Pixar?”
According to State of Alabama official there has been no notification with the state about the project in Muscle Shoals. DreamVision has stated in a release that they would be holding a press conference on February 11th at the Marriott Shoals Hotel to discuss the proposed project.
Mayor David Bradford of Muscle Shoals, the city wherein the park would be situated, said that he was unaware of the plans until he was contacted by several news media companies, including The Quad-Cities Daily.
Retirement Systems of Alabama C.E.O., Dr. David Bronner said that he was unaware of any such plans and was not familiar with DreamVision. Bronner’s organization operates the Marriott and the Robert Trent Jones Golf Resorts across Alabama.
Sheffield Mayor, Ian Sanford said in an exclusive interview with The Quad-Cities Daily, “I hope it happens. This could be as big for our area as the inception of TVA itself.” He continued, “I hope it happens. This is something that you only dream about. It would help everyone.” Sanford acknowledged that the Devil, however, resides in the details, of which there is an exceptionally miniscule supply.
The Quad-Cities Daily is attempting to contact DreamVision for more information.
Sheri Wiggins is co-writer of this report.
