Developers For Bell's Amusement Park "Slow Down" Rebuilding Process

The developer for the land where Bell's Amusement Park was proposed to be re-built is "slowing down" the process.

Broken Arrow City Manager, Michael Spurgeon, said the developer has not made a decision on how to use the property.

The Bell family is staying quiet right now, but the city of Broken Arrow is highlighting the fact that this project is not going as planned.

"They are nowhere near prepared to submit an application for any type of development,” Broken Arrow City Manager Michael Spurgeon said.

During the Broken Arrow council meeting this week, Spurgeon revealed details about a virtual meeting he had with the investment company in the process of buying the land.

He said Santa Cruz Seaside Company told him it has not made a decision on how it is going to develop the property.

"He said in fact, that property could or could not include an amusement park. It could be a combination of a mixed use with an amusement park,” Spurgeon said. “That's something that they're still working on at this time."

Back in November, the Bell family announced it was bringing back the amusement park, claiming it would be 10 times bigger than the original location at the fairgrounds.

"We will draw about a million and a half guests,” Bell’s Co-owner Robby Bell said after a news conference.

Spurgeon struck a different tone that day, one of enthusiasm for the nostalgia of the Zingo ride.

"Some of my fondest memories go back to the time that I spent there in that amusement park, on the Zingo, which to this day I'm still scared of thinking about riding it again like most people,” Spurgeon said.

Since the announcement, neighbors have voiced their concerns about noise, traffic and the impact on their property values.

The investment group released the following statement: "The Santa Cruz Seaside Company is thrilled to explore development opportunities on the land we purchased in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. In the months ahead we will work closely with the City of Broken Arrow to study the feasibility of different development opportunities for the site, and we look forward to the process unfolding as we learn more."

Spurgeon said the developer said it is going to conduct a market analysis to determine how to use the land, which may or may not include the amusement park.

Spurgeon said the developer said there is no timeline for the next step.