Disney Letter Updates Proposed Resorts’ Status
The president of the Walt Disney Co. has sent a two-page letter to government officials and business leaders in hopes of boosting support for his company’s plans to build a $3-billion resort in either Anaheim or Long Beach.
Disney officials said Wednesday that about 5,000 copies of the letter from President Frank G. Wells were mailed to City Council members, business executives and opinion-makers throughout the state to address questions and update the status of the projects proposed for both cities.
“The projects have been written about virtually every day. We just felt it was time they hear from Disney’s point of view,” said Marie Garvey, a community-relations specialist for the Burbank-based entertainment company.
Addressed simply to “Dear California Leader,” Wells says that the particular project cannot be built “without the support of people like yourself” and that the Nov. 14 letter is the start of an ongoing dialogue.
Wells dangles visions of grand projects that Disney estimates will generate $2.5 billion annually in economic activity in Southern California, create 30,000 jobs and result in $60 million a year in new local taxes. In return, Wells said, the company wants a “public/private partnership” in which government would pay for public-works improvements to support the project.
Wells also states that Disney has “an innovative transportation-management system that would address many existing congestion problems” and allay environmental concerns in each city. Civic leaders in Anaheim and Long Beach have each hired consultants to analyze Disney’s claims.
The Long Beach plans call for an ocean-themed resort at the site of the Queen Mary. The Anaheim plan would be a world’s fair-style park built on what is now the Disneyland parking lot, with a lake and luxury hotels. Though the company has given no hints as to which city will be chosen, Long Beach Mayor Ernie Kell said recently that his city’s chances are growing dimmer.
Company officials say a decision on which city will win the $3-billion development is expected by the end of the month.
On Tuesday night, Anaheim City Council members were briefed on the status of the city’s bid for the project and appeared confident of their chances of landing the project.
“The signs are good; the indications are good,” Councilman Tom Daly said Wednesday.
