The iconic amusement park manager, which was featured in the movie BIG, accused West Chester County violating the contract. And taxpayers may have to branch up to $ 57 million or more.
Private companies operating Playland Park in Ryugi will withdraw the 30 -year contract, operate the Waterfront Art Deco Park, and the critics can delay the opening of the destination in this spring season. Is caused.
Last month, Standard Amusement told West Chester government officials that they were opt -out that they would operate historic dragon coasters and vast property with other vehicles.
“In November, we warned the county that we have ended the agreement, based on the fact that we did not meet the contract -based construction obligation,” said the Standard in a letter acquired by the post office.
“With the entrance of itself, the county has missed the consistent flexibility and patience, including consistent flexibility and patience, including an extension of one year on the deadline of all projects.”
Standard told West Chester that the contract was officially terminated as of January 21, but was ready to proceed last year. The company stated that it has the right to receive $ 57 million as part of opt -out, including a repayment of about $ 44 million invested in addition to rates. According to the journal news I first reported goodbye.
After the extended bidding process, Rob Astorino signed a contract with the standard, but before taking over the park management, the new administration gained power and things soon before taking over the park management. It was a controversy. George Latimer in the county, a Democratic member and a successor of Astrino, tried to retreat from the trading in a long and expensive court battle.
Ken Jenkins, a county executive, who was inherited after Latimer left the parliament in 2025, said his opponent will open on time in this month in a special election. Claim.
“At this point, Kenjenkins have been hiding the truth about Playland since November. GOP candidate Christine Sculti posted in a statement.
“Playland has survived Great PRESSION, World War II, and the community, but it may not pass Kenjenkins's incompetence and obfuscation.”
At a press conference last Monday, Genkins opposed the standard claim and argued that West Chester had poured nearly $ 150 million in the upgrade of Park. He talked about negotiating the way to break the transaction in November, but it didn't go anywhere.
“This is the bottom line. The standard entertainment had lost money,” said Jenkins.
“Because they couldn't work in Playland, they are now responsible for the county for their failure,” he said, and he was instructed to upgrade the park. I pointed out the funds.
He said both sides expected to take on the “very complicated legal battle” in the next few months.
A arbitration is expected to claim a county claiming a standard default in a contract. As a result, West Chester does not need to branch into a portion of millions of damages required by the company. According to Journal News。
The county spokesman had previously claimed that on the three -year standard, various management problems, including many vehicles, were closed and there were no sufficient personnel.
Genkins explained the next step last Monday, the next step for the county to open the park, whether it would be operated by the West Chester government, or if another private company operates the site. I didn't.
The standard questioned whether the park will be open this year on time.
“The outlook is uncertain and I'm deeply concerned about Playland's future. I hope the park has succeeded after 2025,” said Standard.
“… It's not clear that the county is ready to open the Playland for the start of the season after the few months we gave to them.”
The bad blood between the standard and the West Chester has been revealed for years, and the county is spending about $ 10 million, trying to get out of the transaction.
The deterioration of the contract has revealed that the county quietly paid a contract in 2019 to secure a new ride on Jo Montal, a former Genkins campaign manager. The bid ended as a standard runner up.
Playland was first opened in 1928 and is designated as a national historic landmark. The park is recognized as a movie location, especially Tom Hunk's movie “BIG”. The park board walk was a climax scene setting with a scene that tills property and Hank and Elizabeth Parkins, who are interested in love, share dance.
