By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – A Kentucky-based company is getting closer to purchasing land in the town of Wheatfield in hopes of building a Wizard of Oz theme park. Oz Central says it has obtained options on more than 600 acres of land in Wheatfield.
It is planning to build "The Magical Lands of Oz" -- a $788 million theme park. An engineering firm has been hired to conduct an environmental impact study in order to complete the purchase of the property.
Richard Burch of Oz Central tells WBFO News they are also calling on New York State to offer an incentive package.
"We are currently trying to put that package together. We have had a number of very positive meetings. The initial dialogue has been very favorable," Burch said. "The state is waiting for us to provide them with some final documentation and numbers. That work is in process and should be coming forward in a few short weeks."
Wheatfield Town Supervisor Timothy Demler says there are several unnamed key investors involved from Erie and Niagara counties. But Demler says he is still not convinced that the project will become a reality.