Michigan's Adventure (MIA) Effects on Metro Triplex Economy

[metrogrkid]

I was inspired to start this thread since I just returned from Michigan's Adventure (MIA) this past Saturday, 8/9/08. Besides all of the hype and excitement I expected from the addition of the Vekoma-manufactured THUNDERHAWK suspended looping coaster, I was NOT prepared for how packed MIA was!

I mean, seriously, MIA staff - in the classic parking management Cedar Fair-style - herded cars/vans/tour buses (that's LOT'S AND LOTS OF TOUR BUSES - EXTRA PLURAL) with precision into so many of MIA's regular paved parking spaces that they had to overflow onto the gravel & weed periphery. WOW. It got me thinking how all that is happening because of the credibility that MIA now has with its historic convergence of Cedar Fair association/ownership, its perception of finally having "REAL" thrill rides (i.e. - Discovery Channel favorite Shivering Timbers and the new Thunderhawk), its now having city water/sewer service (from Muskegon), its location in a metro area with 1.3 million people (GR/Muskegon/Holland Metro Triplex), its location in the same state as 5 million people Metro Detroit and the fact that MIA has upwards of 200 BLANK ACRES to build whatever else they want to in the future (someone please chime in with the exact undeveloped acreage controlled by MIA/Cedar Fair).

With that said, let's examine the effect of a whole summer's worth of weekends like the huge one I just experienced

[Veloise]

Is this place open after September or before April?

[metrogrkid]

Is this place open after September or before April?

[d8alterego]

I recently looked at an aerial shot of MIA and realized that there is no significant development anywhere near it (hotels or resturants). I get the feeling that will change rather quickly. I just hope that there is a lot of planning that goes into it and not a lot of sprawl. As metrogrkid stated, this would be a great stop off point for a light rail system from GR to the lake shore.

[suydam]

I think it's a huge boon to the local (Muskegon) economy for one simple reason: If it wasn't there (or if it was still pre-Shivering Timers MI-A) all those people would probably be at Cedar Point, spending their hard-earned dollars on Dippin' Dots in Ohio instead of Michigan.

[GRDadof3]

I think it's pretty far-fetched to think that a light rail system would service Michigan's Adventure. The place is only open 3 or 4 months a year, it's quite a distance from downtown Muskegon and there is nothing else out there. I don't think you're going to see a large cache of development around MIA. Even Cedar Point, which is much larger, only has one or two hotels outside the entrance into the park, and not much else. Sandusky otherwise is a dumpy ghost town (from what I remember). BTW: What year-round entertainment is being added to MIA?

I'd think it'd be more likely for light rail to serve Frederick Meijer Gardens. It's open year round, it's only about 4 miles from downtown, and gets more annual visitors. But even then, I think light rail to FMG is pretty unlikely.

I think it's great that MIA keeps expanding and is becoming more of a destination, and that people in Michigan don't have to leave the State to go to an amusement park. If you look at any decent sized metro area, there's at least one amusement park nearby. But other than North Muskegon, I think it's economic impact is pretty minimal.

[Veloise]

... If you look at any decent sized metro area, there's at least one amusement park nearby. ...

[Yankee Fan]

I think it's pretty far-fetched to think that a light rail system would service Michigan's Adventure. The place is only open 3 or 4 months a year, it's quite a distance from downtown Muskegon and there is nothing else out there. I don't think you're going to see a large cache of development around MIA. Even Cedar Point, which is much larger, only has one or two hotels outside the entrance into the park, and not much else. Sandusky otherwise is a dumpy ghost town (from what I remember). BTW: What year-round entertainment is being added to MIA?

I'd think it'd be more likely for light rail to serve Frederick Meijer Gardens. It's open year round, it's only about 4 miles from downtown, and gets more annual visitors. But even then, I think light rail to FMG is pretty unlikely.

I think it's great that MIA keeps expanding and is becoming more of a destination, and that people in Michigan don't have to leave the State to go to an amusement park. If you look at any decent sized metro area, there's at least one amusement park nearby. But other than North Muskegon, I think it's economic impact is pretty minimal.

[suydam]

It just dawned on me that the 313 no longer has one. Edgewater closed when I was in grade school, and Bob-lo closed a couple decades later. No wonder they make the trip to Sandusky.

[metrogrkid]

You are right, GR Dad. probably no chance of light rail from GR to Muskegon. However, taking GR out of the picture for a minute, Muskegon has had a lot of news recently about entertainment type attractions.

For example, I cannot remember the number of casinos in the works (3 or 4) but there are a few. Maybe Muskegon would be a great place to establish additional entertainment venues. Not sure what those additional venues could or would be, but they do have the advantage of the big lake to the west. So, maybe a Sea World type attraction. Dare I say a massive ropes course? How about a New Jersey-like boardwalk with a big ferris wheel and all of those "3rd tier" games that you can play?

I think that Metro may be on the something here. It would seem like there would be the opportunity to make that area a destination for a variety of entertainment venues.

Then, maybe, they can tie them all together with light rail, or a really cool bus transit line!

[GRDadof3]

Thank you for your positive approach to dissent, Yank. A visionary plan takes into account ALL options - EVEN THOSE THAT SOME FEEL ARE "PRETTY FAR-FETCHED" (NOTE: a downtown Grand Rapids with high-rises of ANY type and then high-rises on both sides of the Grand used to be as far-fetched as you could get . . . . allow for the potential to dream big for Metro GR . . . . some of our biggest dreams have and ARE coming true . . . . don't hate, postulate ). I'm glad you took into account my entire post and saw my option of BRT (along with the also mentioned streetrail and lightrail options).

Dad may be right that a lightrail connector from the MIA area to downtown Muskegon may never occur, but stating the possiblity is priceless in how just doing so inspires thinking outside of the box for other options that are more attainable and that will bring a similar end-result - CONNECTIVITY and ACCESS to a new super-regional destination.

We have not learned the most simple truth about Michigan's West Coast here at UP-GR if we even entertain the thought that ANY part of the Metro GR-Muskegon-Holland Triplex is static and will NEVER change or become something that is far-fetched. That downtown GR has become an ever increasingly popular destination for a great many things and that a former deer petting zoo has blossomed into Michigan's premier "Roller Coast" is testiment to this. Let's keep the metro area's future and potential open to all possiblities. As my very wise parents used to tell me, " . . . . boy, do what we tell you and reach for the stars. We already know that you may not ever reach them, but if you fail in trying to reach such an impossible height, you will still attain an extraordinary altitude . . . . one beyond our wildest dreams for you . . . .". Let's take that same advice in our collective efforts to nudge Metro GR closer to attaining the GRAND part of its moniker in all of its myriad parts . . . . even with MIA, transit and it becoming a year-round destination.

Onward we go . . . .

[metrogrkid]

I'm hardly saying don't "dream" of these things, but there is also such a thing as "overselling" an idea, that can actually turn people off from joining the cause.

[GRDadof3]

We shall see . . . .

[GR8scott]

I think its great to see MIA "stepping it up" a little. I was there a couple weeks ago and teh new coaster rocked. It was nice that I waited no more than 20 min for the coasters but the funnel of fear took a good hour (and it was fearful)/

ABout the light rail issue and such. I think its good to dream big, but come on be realistic. Yea it could happen, but its not going to in the forseable futre and there would be a lot of things taht would need to fall into place FIRST in order for it to work. As much fun as it would be to play roller coaster tycoon with MIA, it will take soem time and money to evolve. I think the resources that Cedar fair has, have and will help speed it up a little bit when I was there I didnt see that many ppl from metro DET and I do notice these things. I did notice a lot of say local highschool appearal that people where wearing. I also noticed that there were not many out-of-state plates, some from Ill, IN and manybe a few others but being the largest amusment park in the state and imo a bad location its not very impressive......YET.

Metrokid, its good to see that you have a lot of enthusiasm for western michigan but I happen to come to this site to see what is happenning now, whats being built, plans, ect. I feel like a lot of times I am somewhat pesemistic and thats not my typical attitude. I like to be realistic and I like to come to UP to see whats going on in the foreseeable future. Building tallish buildings on other side of the river is hardly stretch or a dream. But it sound like you would like to play sim city with the region, sure if you had the money and somehow got approvals you could put an 100 story building and build a couple more terminals at the airport and put in rail lines all over but if you build it they wont necessarily come. Look at Flint, there was "theme park" and a Hyatt hotel downtown which is in a good location easy freeway access ect. They didnt come. Im all for smart and controlled growth at a good speed. Its good to have dreams nut lets do it for the foreseable future. sorry about the rant

[FloridaSpartan]

As a former GR resident I just can't see the draw to Muskegon or Mich Adventure. I also have a hard time including Holland/GH/Muskegon with the GR area. Why not add Lansing,Kalamazoo, and Cadillac while you are at it. Most people I know would rather log a few more hours in the car and head to Cedar Point or even Six Flags north of Chicago...I agree with the above poster, MA is in bad location.

Here is the exciting development going on there... http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/2008/07/rv_p...next_to_mi.html

a 299-space RV park lots boozing soon to be going on...