Kentucky Kingdom

Kentucky Agency Approves $10-Million in Sales Tax Incentives for Kentucky Kingdom

Joseph Lord — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:59:47 +0000

The group working to re-open the Kentucky Kingdom amusement park has gotten $10-million in sales tax credits from the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority.

The Kentucky Kingdom Redevelopment Company will release details of their plans for the park, including information on refurbished and new rides.

Kentucky Kingdom Group 'Encouraged' By First Impressions From Shuttered Park

Devin Katayama — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:15:31 +0000

Leaders of a group that’s expected to reopen the Kentucky Kingdom amusement park say their team is on the ground and money has been spent.

The state fair board approved a lease agreement last month with the Kentucky Kingdom Redevelopment Company led by local businessman Ed Hart, who once operated the park before Six Flags took over.

Study to See if Kentucky Kingdom is Eligible for State Incentives

Joseph Lord — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 20:16:23 +0000

The Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority will study to see if an application from the group seeking to redevelop Kentucky Kingdom meets the criteria for incentives that could be worth as much as $10 million over 10 years.

The study is expected to be done in six to eight weeks. Last week, the Kentucky State Fair Board approved a lease agreement with a group led by Louisville businessman Ed Hart.

Here's more from the authority:

Ed Hart to Discuss Kentucky Kingdom Plans Today on Byline

Joseph Lord — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:46:02 +0000

Ed Hart is back in the game.

Kentucky Kingdom moved closer to opening for the first time since 2009 on Thursday when the Kentucky State Fair Board approved a lease agreement a development group Hart leads. Hart's group now has 90 days from the signing of the lease to get financing in order.

If all goes well, officials are targeting 2014 for Kentucky Kingdom to re-open.

Kentucky Kingdom Lease Plan With Hart-Led Group Gets Approval; Re-Opening Targeted for 2014

Staff — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:30:16 +0000

The Kentucky State Fair Board voted today to approve a 50-year lease could lead to the spring 2014 re-opening of Kentucky Kingdom, the amusement park at the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center that's been shuttered since 2009.

Details are below.

In 2012, the fair board issued a request for new proposals after the owners of Holiday World in Santa Claus, Ind., abandoned their plans to re-open the amusement park under the name Bluegrass Boardwalk.

Only one proposal was submitted — from a group led by Ed Hart, a former Kentucky Kingdom operator.

Gov. Steve Beshear Endorses Plan to Reopen Kentucky Kingdom

Kenny Colston and Gabe Bullard — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 19:52:37 +0000

Gov. Steve Beshear says he approves of a plan to reopen the Kentucky Kingdom theme park.

Kentucky Kingdom Deal Encouraged By City Leaders; Tourism Bureau Commits $100,000 for 5 Years

Devin Katayama — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 20:25:27 +0000

Mayor Greg Fischer says negotiations to reopen the Kentucky Kingdom amusement park are close to completion, but the parties involved remain silent about a possible lease.

Koch Family Members In Legal Battle Over Control of Holiday World

Rick Howlett and Associated Press — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 19:25:12 +0000

A judge has placed control of Indiana’s Holiday World theme park in the hands of the widow of the park's late president.

A Vanderburgh County circuit judge has ruled that Lori Koch is majority owner of the holding company that operates Holiday World & Splashin' Safari. She's the widow of former park president Will Koch, who died in June 2010.

Dan Koch had served as Holiday World's president following his brother's death, but Lori Koch fired him after the judge's ruling.

Kentucky Kingdom Investors, State Finance Cabinet to Meet

Devin Katayama — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 20:12:00 +0000

The Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet has reached out to Louisville businessman Ed Hart's group -- Kentucky Kingdom Redevelopment Company -- to "discuss its proposal for reopening Kentucky Kingdom," according to a press release.

The group, comprised of four local investors, is the only known applicant in the state's request for proposals process.

Kentucky Kingdom: A Timeline

Joseph Lord — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 17:02:18 +0000

1987: Kentucky Kingdom opens with out-of-state investors. The amusement park closed after a single season.

1990: Businessman Ed Hart reopens the amusement park. The size of Kentucky Kingdom is doubled, and new rides such as Thunder Run are added.

1997: Premier Parks purchases Kentucky Kingdom.

1998: The new ownership renames the amusement park Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom.

2009: Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom's parent company closes the park amid bankruptcy proceedings.