By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Niagara Falls, New York is one of five cities being eyed for a Wizard of Oz Theme Park. A company called Oz Central visited the Cataract City late last week on what was a fact-finding mission.
Niagara Falls is on a short list of cities being considered for a possible indoor Wizard of Oz theme park. The other cities are Kansas City, Houston, Scottsdale, Arizona and Atlanta. Leaders of Oz Central visited Niagara Falls looking at the former Nabisco Plant on Rainbow Boulevard.
Such an attraction could be the big tourism boost the city is desperately seeking. Bob Newman, president and CEO of Niagara USA, the city's chamber organization, says it's very exciting to be considered for this type of a project. Newman says he believes Oz Central is interested in the old Nabisco site because of the property's size.
"The structure would give them a real opportunity as far as a theme park goes," Newman said. "I also think its proximity to Niagara Falls, coming right off the Thruway makes it a very attractive location."
Oz Central is the worldwide licensor for the L. Frank Baum Family Trust. He was the author of the original Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Falls City Council Member Vince Anello says because the city has suffered so many past tourism disappointments, he remains cautiously optimistic and plans to research the company. But Anello says he looks forward to lending a hand in convincing Oz Central to select the Falls site.
"Certainly the city would be involved at some point, because we have a relationship with the developer," Anello said. "Hopefully, we can have a successful relationship with them and other developers."
The former Nabisco site is now owned by a private developer, Niagara Falls Redevelopment. USA Niagara Development Corporation said it's waiting for a consultant study on the proposed project. A spokesman emphasized that the city is only being considered as a possible site and it would be "premature to comment."