The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 31

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 1984 THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR- 9B Park -ft. Continued From Page 1 slate funds For the park. Bids for the $11 million rerout: ing of Washington Street between West and Harding streets will go out next month and relocation work will begin this spring. In the early years of the park's planning, the commission faced two major uncertainties. Watt admitted.

ONE WAS the recession, which affected the willingness of potential investors to even consider pouring money into the park. The other, he said, was the "basic question of is this for In the experience of state government, the park project is "unique and I don't think there is much doubt that many people wondered what would ultimately happen." Last year. Watt said, developers made it clear they were closely watching two aspects of the project The new Indianapolis Zoo and the rerouting of Washington Street The new, $37.5 million zoo is im' portant as a magnet it will draw hundreds of thousands of persons who will spill over to other parts of the park. "WHEN THEY saw the generous financial support from Lilly Endowment and Krannert (Charitable) trusts, they began to see it's for real." Watt remarked. "This (the new zoo) will happen.

Last July, the endowment pledged $25 million toward the relocation of the joo from 3120 East 30th Street to the west bank of White River in the park. Krannert pledged $4 million. Since then, businesses and others have pledged hundreds of thousands of dollars. The second test developers were watching for was Washington Street. "Washington Street is a symbolic thing as far as some developers are concerned because our commitment to relocate it suggests to them we are serious about building a first-class park." OFFICIALS DECIDED to reroute the street despite the cost because otherwise it would run through the middle of the park.

The street will be rerouted south of its present route to follow railroad tracks along the park's southern bor der, then swing back north and hook up with the existing Washington Street near Harding. The relocation of the street will also be positive proof to local people that the project is really under way. said Sidney H. Weedman. the com mission's executive director.

"That's going to say something when they see bulldozers -Beginning in September, the commission began to experience a much faster pace of inquires from national companies about what is going on with the park and a had few ap proaehes from potential developers. "I THINK there is a better sense out there it's now for real." In the year ahead, the commis-' sion will press ahead with the loo project and Washington Street as one of two main priorities. Watt said. That means keeping work in both areas on schedule. The other priority item is to begin active negotiations on the family entertainment and commercial centers, which will take some months to complete.

A recent review of financial feasibility of the park confirms that it is reasonable to expect a significant level of private sector involvement. Watt said. "CLEARLY, A family entertain ment center is financially feasible for a private sector developer to undertake. We are currently looking at whether that should be combined with a commercial center." The family center, to be located on the east bank of White River, would be an amusement park on the style of the Tivoli Gardens concept in Denmark. Such a park would feature some "hard rides" similar to those at Kings Island, but would also provide entertainment for the whole family.

Watt said. The commercial center would feature restaurants and specialty shops. Wajt said the commission is concentrating on the two centers first because the "timing is right "ITS THE best option for private sector involvement in a for profit sense and it is the sort of thing we need to be doing now. We would like to be in a position of having that facility come into being on a time schedule near the opening of the zoo. "In order to do that 'the hard decisions have to be made within the next year if that time schedule is to be met." Plans call for work to begin on the zoo in 1985, with a portion of the facility opening up in 1987.

The construction of the centers could be handled several different ways. Watt explained. The commission will be in con tact with the dozen or so national firms that are established in the family entertainment field to assess their interest in the project. ANOTHER POSSIBILITY is an investor group would be formed to handle the project. "That investor group might be a national group, it might be a local group and I have no preference for which way we go.

although obviously we want to assess the interest of the national firms first" Or rather than an investor group. White River Park master plan shows family center to the right of tower 1984 is seen as the year that planning the $200 million park ends and the building begins it might be one of the big financial firms that plays a role in developing -the centers. Watt said. "We have had tentative approaches from some eastern invest ment banking groups about specific components of the project. Those discussions are in a very preliminary stale." AS FOR the proposed 750foot tower.

Watt said, any decision is at least a year away. While a tower might provide a signature for the park and serve as a "drawing-card," Watt said, the commission will ask prospective developers whether they think the tower would assist them. Keeping the park on schedule will also mean getting more money from the Indiana General Assembly, Watt said. Last year, the commission asked the legislature for just less $8 million but only received $3 5 million. The park's financing needs are being analyzed by the governor's office and legislative leadership.

Watt said. THE LEGISLATURE knew its appropriation was insufficient for the two year period ending June 30. 1985. and that a review would have to take place this year. Watt said.

A critical piece of property, the Metro garage at 1000 West Washing ton Street, remains to be purchased to make room for the park. "The issue now." Watt said, "is what level of compensation and in what form will it be paid to buy them out The Indianapolis Zoological Soci ety agreed to build the zoo in the park on the condition that the ga rage be removed. Watt said the governor will pro vide "a very high level of support" for the park project, including "personally taking the leadership in the Statehouse on the funding issue." Orr's interest is based on the enormous impact the project may have on business and jobs. Watt noted. More than that, the chairman added.

Orr is attracted to White River State Park as "an opportunity to reaffirm that Indiana is a special and exciting place." Greenfield girl, 11, killed in collision GOLDEN GATE WITHOUT THE WAIT Tfti An 11 year old Greenfield girl died Saturday afternoon when she was thrown from the covered bed of a pickup her mother was driving Lori Stansbury, died in Hancock Memorial Hospital in Greenfield shortly after the 2 23 p.m. accident in Hancock County. According to sheriff's deputies, the girl's mother. Barbara Stansbury. slid on ice through an intersection that is four miles west of Ind.

9 and struck a car driven by Dcbra Absher. also of Greenfield. Lori and four other children were in the rear of the truck that was covered with a camper top. She was thrown out by the impact and then struck by the truck as it continued to skid. The four other children and the other driver were taken to Hancock Memorial and treated.

Kerry Michael Seward. 22. a for mer Wabash College basketball play er was killed early Saturday when his car ran off Ind. 32. about five miles east of Crawfordsville in Mont gomery County, and overturned.

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Seward, a native of Crawfordsville. was a forward on the 1981 82 Wabash College basketball team, which won the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division III national championship. He was a marketing trainee for HiTek Lighting Co. in Crawfordsville. Services will be held at 1030 a.m.

Tuesday in Hunt Son Funeral Home in Crawfordsville. where friends may call after 4 p.m. Mon day. Survivors include his parents. Robert W.

and Glenda Seward; a brother. Kevin W. Seward; and a sister. Kann Seward. Gary J.

Brown, 25. West terre Haute, was killed Friday night in a high speed accident near West Terre Haute. Police said the driver of the ear. Joseph M. Steward.

25. West Terre Haute, was taken to the Vigo County Jail and charged with driv ing under the influence of alcohol. Investigators said the car went out of control, struck a guardrail and rammed a utility pole. Orlue Curtis, 90, Warsaw, was killed early Friday when a car driv en by his daughter, Evelyn Sprong. 54.

Warsaw, went out of control on icy U.S. 30 east of Warsaw and struck a bridge abutment. Curtis was thrown from the car. Arrives San Francisco (Int'l) 10:43 a.m. 9:55 p.m.

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