GRAYLING -- Supporters of a proposed theme park in Crawford County are gathering signatures on informal community petitions to encourage state officials to sell 1,800 acres of public land for the development.
The grassroots effort won't go unnoticed by state decision-makers, but it also won't change required proof of finances for the entire project before the land sale is finalized, officials said.
Jean Weaver nearly collected 40 signatures at North Country Corner, a clothing shop she co-owns in Grayling. She wants to see the theme park plan realized, as do most people she knows, she said.
"We want things done properly, but we'd like to see it happen," Weaver said.
The petition's language includes the need for stringent environmental requirements and full financing before the land is sold.
Nearly 800 pro-project signatures already arrived at the Crawford County Economic Development Partnership in Grayling, which organized the petition drive to last through Friday, said Gaila Gilliland, director.
"These are man-on-the-street petitions," she said. "It can't help but show there's support."
Not everyone signed when asked, though.
"I didn't believe it from the day they announced it and I still don't believe it will ever happen," said Pete Kocefas of Frederic, who said he was approached at least three times about the theme park petition.
Axiom Entertainment of Rochester wants to build a $161 million amusement park near Interstate 75 in Grayling Township. Proponents say it would create thousands of jobs and spark a local economic boon, while others expressed environmental concerns for the Au Sable River watershed and the use of public dollars on the venture.
The company's lead developer for the project is Patrick Crosson, who emerged from personal bankruptcy in 2006 and worked in the 1990s to build a theme park in Indiana, which eventually failed in bankruptcy.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources wants proof that developers have enough money before they sell the land, said David Freed, land and facilities chief.
"We're still finalizing documents. We're finishing them up," said Susan Haddad, company spokeswoman. "The funds for the purchase of the land are there, but they wanted to see it for the entire theme park."
In the meantime, the community petitions will be considered, Freed said.
"It doesn't mean they might get the result they want, but we won't ignore it. It will be part of our record for this project," Freed said.
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