Those concerns led the Frisco city council and planning and zoning committee to postpone their vote on the theme park鈥檚 permit Tuesday night.
Shanda Evans lives in Frisco about five minutes from the proposed site for the theme park, which is aimed at children aged nine and under. Evans said during Tuesday鈥檚 city council meeting that she doesn鈥檛 want Frisco to become a tourist destination like California with crime and traffic problems.
鈥淯niversal step one. What鈥檚 step two?鈥� she said. 鈥淲hat else are we going to have come here?鈥�
Evans said she went to the meet and greet session with Universal Parks & Resorts, where she met a representative from a casino. She said she worries a casino could be what comes next after the children鈥檚 theme park.
Frisco mayor Jeff Cheney said he hasn鈥檛 been approached by any casino representatives.
Jesse Washington said he also lives close to where the Universal theme park would be located. Washington said he and most of his neighbors are against bringing the theme park to Frisco.
鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 really seem to benefit any of the people that live in the city,鈥� Washington said. 鈥淭he only people I鈥檝e talked to that are excited about it don鈥檛 live here.鈥�
Washington said the only benefit of the theme park would be the increased sales tax revenue. That鈥檚 something Tony Felker said would help lower property taxes. He鈥檚 the CEO and president of the Frisco of Chamber of Commerce.
Felker said the chamber is supportive of the theme park. He said it will boost local businesses and other tourist attractions in the area.
鈥淚t's going to continue to feed upon itself here,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd it's not just one venue type deal, but it'll help the entire community.鈥�
But not everyone in Frisco agrees with that sentiment. The city council and planning and zoning committee rescheduled their vote on the permit for Feb. 21. There will also be another public hearing.
Got a tip? Email Caroline Love at clove@kera.org.
Caroline Love is a corps member for 四虎影院.
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