Why Decades is good for Arizona

Requires Acrobat Reader.

...because Rock and Roll Never Forgets.

“I know it’s only rock and roll, but I like it.” --- The Rolling Stones, 1974.

Rock music is a vital force in the lives of millions of people across the world.  It brings people together and bridges cultural boundaries in a unique way that spans all generations.  DECADES will be a living monument to the history of music that has defined the past half century of this country.  DECADES promises to thrill visitors with state-of-the-art rides and attractions themed to bring the music to life with a sensory experience that has never before been imagined. 

The Time is Now
Disney commands a park presence on the East Coast in Orlando and on the West Coast in Anaheim.  A Rock and Roll theme park recently opened in South Carolina in April, 2008. DECADES is Arizona’s chance to not only host the West Coast’s Rock and Roll Theme Park, but the premier music themed park in the country.  According to industry experts, DECADES will be larger, more interactive, more heavily themed, and more likely to attract repeat visits than the music themed park in South Carolina. Now is the time for Arizona to take advantage of this exciting opportunity before a similar theme park is constructed elsewhere on the West Coast. 

Location, Location, Location
Phoenix and Tucson are the largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. without a theme park. DECADES will be conveniently located in the City of Eloy, directly between Arizona’s two major metropolitan areas along the I-10 corridor.  Eloy has ample space for the phased growth of a theme park and associated hotel and retail districts. The region also provides an ideal climate for a year-round attraction. And, unlike other theme park proposals that have been made in Arizona, DECADES already owns or controls over 500 acres at the targeted site.

Build It and They Will Come
Rock and Roll is a universal concept that can bridge cultural boundaries and appeal to the entire world.  This concept will attract visitors from all walks of life. With access to 22.5 million residents and tourists throughout Arizona's central valley and no competition anywhere near, DECADES feasibility studies anticipate more than six million annual visitors to the park. Arizona’s vital tourism economy will be significantly enhanced with thousands of new jobs created.

Great Minds, Great Experience, Great Team                 
Peter Alexander, one of the most renowned and accomplished theme park designers and consultants in the country, is a key member of the DECADES team. Alexander is one of the creative minds behind Disney’s Epcot Center and Disney Tokyo, and he also created many of the popular attractions at Universal Studios Florida. Notable additions to the DECADES team will continue.

For Those About To Rock, We Salute You
DECADES is a monument to the history of Rock and Roll, the artists and their music that will serve as a creative and continually evolving journey through our history as experienced through the sounds of popular music. The prominence of the park will ensure top Rock and Roll acts from past and present lend their support and names to rides and attractions. DECADES will also offer a unique and forward-looking platform for these acts to reach vast new audiences and sell music and merchandise in a distinctive new way.

Climate
Yes, the climate. During the winter, spring and fall, there is no better spot on earth to be than Arizona. DECADES will be designed with the latest in shading and climate-controlled attractions so that visitors are still comfortable during the warmer months. This approach is no different than what is the norm in Orlando – the theme park capital of the world – which enjoys the same heat index as Arizona (which includes the humidity!).

Arizona's Regional Attraction District
In June, 2008, Senate Bill 1450 received approval from the state legislature and Governor Janet Napolitano.  The new statue will allow for the formation of a Regional Attraction District (or RAD) in Pinal County.  The RAD will be permitted to impose a surcharge of up to 10% on the price of tickets for admission to the park and other purchases made within its boundaries - but ONLY within the boundaries of the RAD.  The RAD surcharge will have no impact on the collection of existing CIty, County, or State tax collections.  The proceeds of the surcharge will be used to retire the debt permitted under the new law.  In other words, this funding mechanism will allow Arizona to create a national attraction without any use of taxpayer dollars!