Later, SarahWhitman~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(From Roswell, N.M.) Businesses here have been cashing in on the UFO craze for years--paintings and replicas of UFOs and space aliens adorn downtown buildings, and even the McDonald's and Wal-Mart are UFO-and space-themed.
Now city officials want to take it to anohter level with a UFO-themed amusement part, complete with an indoor roller coaster that would take passengers on a simulated alien abduction.
"Nobody will be harmed and everybody will be returned, hopefully, in the same shape," concept designer Bryan Temmer said Friday.
The Alien Apex Resort could open as early as 2010. The city has received a $245.000 legislative appropriation for the initial planning, but the park would be privately built and managed. Requests for proposals will be advertised next month.
The proposed park initially will cover 60 to 80 acres with room to expand to 150 acres. It will feature other rides and attractions, including an exhibit hall with information on scientific exploration of the universe.
"It's not just about the Roswell Incicdent and did it happen," said Temmer, of Land O'Lakes, Fla.
The Roswell Incident, of course, has brought the southeastern New Mexico city would-wide acclaim. It centers on a purported UFO crash on a near-by ranch in July 1947, which the military later claimed was a top-secret weather balloon.
Temmer, who describes himself as a fan of theme parks and science fiction, pitched the concept to city leaders two years ago. "I knew there was only one place on the planet, probably in the universe, where this idea would work," he said.
City Planner Zach Montgomery said the project will cost "several hundred millions of dollars, " but a more accurate figure hasn't been determined. A roller coaster similar to the one Temmer proposed is under construction at another theme part for almost $100 million, Montgomery said.
Montgomery said the city is considering six potential sites but declined to identify them, other than to say each is within city limits or could be annexed. He also wouldn't name potential operators, but said at least four major corporations approached about the idea are excited.
