Word of a major economic announcement for Spring Hill has been circulating for some time now, and today was the day!  Those “out-of-the-know” assumed it was more positive news about the GM Plant ramping back up production.  Others thought it was another manufacturing facility of some kind.  Those “in the know” have kept their mouths shut.

Today, major plans of a multi-faceted $750 million amusement park to open in late 2012 were announced.  Read all of the details of “Festival Tennessee” here:   (bet they change the name!)

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110302/WILLIAMSON01/110302014/Las-Vegas-company-open-Festival-Tennessee-new-Spring-Hill-theme-park?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

This is exciting news for Spring Hill, and all of Middle Tennessee.  Some are skeptical of a development of this magnitude.  Being optimistic takes less energy than being skeptical…especially if no one is asking you to invest anything.  Season tickets aren’t even on sale yet anyway!  :0) 

The land is already there.  It is located in a county where unemployment is among the highest levels in the state.   The availability of seasonal workers is tremendous.  Just look at all the new schools being built.  Best of all, what construction there is will not be performed by ghosts.  Real workers will be employed – and we have a lot of them here!

Why the concern?  The entire project is privately funded and does not require any taxpayer funds – at least as it is presented.  Spring Hill and its citizens have all to gain and nothing to lose on this one.    Here is the proposed location near Jim Warren Road in Spring Hill:

I must admit some of the items discussed raise doubts:  80 restaurants?  Five would be a good start.  Two resort hotels with 8000 rooms?  Hmmm…Opryland Hotel has just over 2800.  Why not a golf course?

We must remember that Las Vegas was once a pot hole in the middle of the desert!  Tunica wasn’t even that much.  Regardless, if it weren’t for those pursuing a dream or vision, nothing would ever happen… anywhere.  

One thing we all can agree on…. that was the most publicity ever seen over $35 worth of poster board.

There definitely is demand for a large scale theme park in Middle Tennessee.  We now know that Opryland really was profitable.  People that live in Alabama will come because they have nothing else to do.  The Nashville MSA has also grown considerably over the years.  With gas prices climbing once again, people will opt to vacation closer to home – and Nashville is within a day’s drive of the majority of people in this country.

If people will support a park in Santa Claus, Indiana they will support a park in Middle Tennessee even more.  And when they fall in love with the area after their visit, we will have a new home in Spring Hill waiting on them!

Trey Lewis is a licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Tennessee with Ole South Realty, 615.896.0019  direct 615.593.6340.  Specializing in new home sales in the Greater Nashville area to include Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and Spring Hill, Tennessee