The Dark Knight at Six Flags New England CANCELLED!

[GAcoaster]

Statistics from RCDB.com:

 

Make / Model: Mack / Wild Mouse (compact park)

Designer: Ingenieur Büro Stengel GmbH

Categories: Enclosed

Track layout: Wild Mouse

Cost: $7,000,000 USD

Length: 1213'

Inversions: 0

Duration: 2:00

Trains: 8 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 4 riders per car.

 

 

Press Release from Six Flags New England:

 

Six Flags New England announced today its new attraction for 2008: "The Dark Knight Coaster," an indoor dark coaster based on Warner Bros. Pictures' upcoming movie The Dark Knight featuring DC Comics' characters Batman and The Joker. The Dark Knight Coaster opens Memorial Day 2008.

 

"Today's announcement represents Six Flags New England's continued commitment to the growth of a well-rounded and balanced entertainment package," said Larry Litton, Six Flags New England's Park President. "The Dark Knight Coaster offers a unique experience that will appeal to families and teens alike." At a cost of $7 million, The Dark Knight will be the first indoor roller coaster at Six Flags New England.

 

The Dark Knight Coaster will transform guests into citizens of Gotham City — caught in the middle of a city under siege and torn apart by The Joker.

 

With The Dark Knight Coaster, guests will experience the ride of their lives. Venturing through demented hallways of twists, turns and hallucinatory images, they are tormented by The Joker himself. Then as they set foot onto a distressed, vandalized train platform, they can only guess at what awaits them as they speed through six 180-degree hairpin turns, climb unseen hills, plunge into pitch darkness and dip into unforeseen danger. As they attempt to escape the terror, their only hope is that Gotham's Silent Guardian — Batman — can save them.

 

"The opening of The Dark Knight Coaster will be perfectly-timed to coincide with the debut of the next Batman film from director Christopher Nolan. We're very excited that fans will be able to have a first-hand experience with the sites, sounds and thrills of crime fighting in Gotham City," said Brad Globe, President, Warner Bros. Worldwide Consumer Products.

 

The Dark Knight Coaster will use storytelling, physical movement, video, sound and special effects to bring guests a one-of-a-kind dark ride experience. The coaster will be located in the DC section of Six Flags New England.

[GAcoaster]

From MassLive.com:

 

Construction of new roller coaster halted

 

AGAWAM - Building Inspector Dominic Urbinati issued a stop work order today on Six Flags New England's $7 million "Dark Knight" indoor roller coaster project.

 

"The building is all framed and up," said Urbinati, who called the work done so far "unlawful work without permits."

 

Without the proper construction documents, Urbinati said there was no way he can ensure the project meets state building codes, including safety requirements for fire-suppression systems and easily accessible exits.

 

"The bottom line is they don't have a building permit," Zoning Board of Appeals member Gary E. Suffriti said.

 

"There's going to be hundreds of people on that ride," board member James C. Marmo said. "Heaven forbid there's a fire in there." The zoning board signed off on the project last week, granting a height variance contingent on Six Flags meeting all state and local structural and safety codes for the approximately 70-foot-tall building.

 

Responding to a tip, Suffriti and Marmo took a look at the construction site last Friday.

 

 

"I was floored, I'll be quite honest with you," Suffriti said. "This building has been being built. It had to have been being built for a couple of months."

 

During that time, Six Flags had been seeking the height variance, required because the proposed building at the park's Main Street site exceeds the city's height limit of 45 feet in a Business B Zone.

 

"This is a huge, huge building. It isn't a little shed," Urbinati said. "While they were going before the board of appeals, it appears they were building this building."

 

Asked why construction proceeded without a building permit, Six Flags public relations manager Melissa M. Pinkerton said, "We're working closely with the town so that all parties will be satisfied."

 

Six Flags officials plan to meet on March 5 with officials from the state Department of Public Safety "to review the entire ride," Pinkerton said.

 

"I can assure you that safety is our No. 1 priority," she said. "We will absolutely have everything in place to operate this ride in a safe manner."

 

As for construction documents, Pinkerton said, "We have submitted the initial documents. We are making some revisions, and we are in the process of resubmitting them (to the building inspector)."

 

"They have to stop work," Urbinati said, "until they have satisfied the Massachusetts state building code in my eyes."

 

The zoning board will meet Friday at 8:30 a.m. at City Hall "to see what (we) want to do about this," Suffriti said. One option could be to rescind last week's height variance approval, he said.

 

The indoor roller coaster ride is being designed to evoke a Gotham City caught up in battle between Batman and The Joker.

 

"We are still aiming for the Memorial Day weekend opening," Pinkerton said.

 

Ooops...I guess they should have waited to start construction AFTER they had the building permit!

[29yrswithaGApass]

If the town rescinds their height variance approval this would be the world's shortest Wild Mouse!

[JetsDevs4Lyf]

Wow that is pretty bad. Someone sure had it out for them. Aren't we all glad GA goes through the proper channels before building anything they are attempting. Now if only ther had been a hegith variance against the Chiller before it was built lol

[GAcoaster]

I'm guessing this was calculated on some level. They had to know that they would have to get permits and get stopped for not having them. Because it took so long to get the approval, if they didn't start early (like they did), they'd never get done in time for Memorial Day. As it is, they'll get fined and maybe have to make some small modifications, but they'll still get the work done sooner than if they had waited.

[GAcoaster]

Wow...looking at this news story, they are as far along (if not farther along) than GA is!

 

See the video at WWLP.com

[Great Adventurer]

Wow, that came as a shock... I went to their website, and nobody has construction pictures besides GAdv!

[redsoxfan0810]

They're up there, but they're not linked, are "behind" in updates and the pictures aren't dated (I wonder why? ). Just substitute the other parks name in the URL.

 

http://www.sixflags.com/newengland/rides/c...tionphotos.aspx

 

 

[JetsDevs4Lyf]

According to Screamscape today, the park is expecting there to be about a two week delay in any further construction before they get rolling again.

 

They link to an article in it looks like the Republican which you guys can take a look at here.

[29yrswithaGApass]

Some is going to have some "splainin' " to do if investors ask what happend on the quarterly Six Flags conference call.

[JetsDevs4Lyf]

True that is not going to look good at all if it is brought about. As much as people want new rides and we know SF wnats to give them this new ride they have been hyping, it amazes me that they would take such a risk as working without permits cosidering how bad it could turn out for them.

[DarkKnight]

should of got the permits before they started! that is what GAdv did! lol

[redsoxfan0810]

They were just having a harder time obtaining those permits and tried to fly under the radar to get it done on time without delay, but they got busted and are delayed anyways.

Edited March 1, 2008 by redsoxfan0810

[JetsDevs4Lyf]

For a company trying to right its image, this is not a good setback at all in that park. Although I suppose we can assume what may have happened, who knows what the working relationship the park has with it's local municipalities there. We have heard GA and Jackson get along well and seem to have a very welcoming business relationship, but that may not have been the case for SFNE which in turn may have resulted in trying to get as much done as possible before they got caught.

[GAcoaster]

Look at it this way...they started construction early, and are now suffering a 2-week delay.

 

If they hadn't started before the approval, they would be MONTHS behind schedule on construction. This was a calculated move to get the ride open on schedule.

[JetsDevs4Lyf]

This is very true. While it may or may not make sense to some of us who only read about it this way there is a reason the people who make those decisions are in power and situations like these are clearly them.

[29yrswithaGApass]

On the flip side I would be cautious at which bridges I burn and which buttons I push with the municpal officials. I am sure their next application will be reviewed extensively to make sure every "i" is dotted and "t" crossed.

 

 

[JetsDevs4Lyf]

Oh absolutely you are right about that. But these big corporate button pushers make a living out of this. Once this ride is completed there will be some big clearing of the minds and mending of fences and some things we will never see and next thing we know everyone will be good buddies again and noone will be any wisr. It is the political and corporate way.

[GAcoaster]

Looks like another setback, with neighbors taking legal action (to retaliate against Six Flags for the parking ban ordinance). From MassLive.com:

 

Appeal snarls Six Flags plan

Friday, March 07, 2008

By DAVID BERGENGREN

dbergengren@repub.com

 

AGAWAM - An appeal contesting a special permit granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals for Six Flags New England's $7 million "Dark Knight" indoor roller coaster is complicating the park's attempt to have a stop-work order lifted on the project, officials said yesterday.

 

"Our position is that we're entitled to our day in court, and that they don't have a final decision on the special permit because it's been appealed," Springfield lawyer Joseph M. Pacella said.

 

Pacella filed the appeal in Hampden Superior Court Feb. 26 on behalf of Karen Connor of Suffield, Conn., and Michael Biscaldi of East Longmeadow.

 

Connor and Biscaldi are co-owners of property at 1514 Main St. most recently used for a used-car business, Autos by Joseph, Pacella said. The site is adjacent to the Six Flags Amusement Park.

 

The special permit approved Feb. 11 allows a height of up to 70 feet for the building that will house the roller coaster. That is 25 feet in excess of the city's height limit for buildings in a Business B zone.

 

The appeal contends the structure is not appropriate for the location and would adversely affect traffic, safety and property values in the neighborhood.

 

Noting that the appeal lists the three Zoning Board members who approved the permit as defendants, along with Six Flags, Pacella added, "We're not looking for lawsuit against the town of Agawam...We're just looking to have the (special permit) decision annulled."

 

Pacella voiced a concern that Agawam Building Inspector Dominic Urbinati might be under pressure to issue a building permit for the project in short order, a concern echoed by Zoning Board member Gary E. Suffriti.

 

"We understand that Six Flags wants to move forward at their own risk," Suffriti said. "But what happens if they're allowed to do this? A precedent is being set here. This is very important."

 

Urbinati issued a stop-work order on the project Feb. 20, saying Six Flags had begun significant construction without a building permit. Without the proper construction documents, Urbinati said, there was no way he could ensure the project met state building and safety codes.

 

Urbinati would not comment yesterday, but City Solicitor Christopher C. Johnson said the building inspector was still waiting for information on the project that was needed before any action could be taken.

 

No one in Mayor Susan R. Dawson's administration is pressuring Urbinati to issue the building permit, Johnson said. "There's certainly no pressure from anyone in the administration (to do anything) other than what would normally be done before moving forward," he said.

 

Six Flags still needs a building permit for its project, Johnson said, but once one is issued, he added, a state law passed in 2006 allows "someone to move forward at their own risk" while an appeal is underway. If Six Flags chooses to do that, and the appeal succeeds in court, it could mean all or part of whatever has been constructed would have to be torn down, he said.

 

The Zoning Board on Monday is expected to discuss whether to ask for City Council approval to seek a legal opinion on issues related to the roller coaster project, including whether construction should be allowed to continue while an appeal is underway.

[JetsDevs4Lyf]

Wow this is really turning into a huge mess for the park

[redsoxfan0810]

A load of crap. There's no way the appeal will stop them, it should be thrown out quickly. The reasoning is pretty stupid.

[GAcoaster]

Well, it looks like they have resolved everything.

 

From MassLive.com:

 

Six Flags plan moves forward

Friday, March 21, 2008

By DAVID BERGENGREN

 

AGAWAM - The Planning Board unanimously approved a revised site plan for Six Flags New England's $7 million indoor roller coaster project last night.

 

The approval marks the first of several hurdles the revised plan must clear to pave the way for Building Inspector Dominic Urbinati to issue a building permit for the project.

 

"We're pleased that it's approved," Six Flags public relations manager Melissa M. Pinkerton said after last night's vote.

 

If approval is granted by the Conservation Commission on March 27 and the Zoning Board of Appeals on April 4, Pinkerton said, "We're hoping for a building permit."

 

"And then we build the ride and get it ready for the season," said Pinkerton, who declined to predict whether the "Dark Knight Coaster" ride would open by Six Flags' original goal of Memorial Day Weekend.

 

Urbinati issued a stop-work order on the project Feb. 20, saying Six Flags had begun significant construction without a building permit.

 

Without proper construction documents, Urbinati said, there was no way he could ensure the project met state building and safety codes.

 

"Tonight was about two issues - drainage revisions and moving the building 10 feet from a storage building," Planning Board Chairman Travis P. Ward said last night.

 

Moving the roller coaster building, Ward said, actually "opened up some better options. Moving the building allowed us to acquire more green space, 38 percent more than the previous plan."

 

The additional green space will improve the esthetics of the site and provide additional ground area for absorbing rainwater in storm conditions, Ward said.

 

Site Engineer John J. Furman of the Springfield engineering firm Vanasse Hangen Brustlin introduced the plan changes to the board, saying, "We had a few changes that were necessitated by fire codes and access issues."

 

After explaining a decision not to remove a drainage pipe at the site as originally planned, Furman focused on why the building footprint needed to be "slid west 10 feet."

 

State fire codes dictated that the roller coaster building - which was originally slated to be built nearly flush with the former Batman Stunt Show storage garage - be moved at least 10 feet away from the existing building, Furman said.

 

The new plans also add a handicapped-accessible concrete walkway at the rear of the building to improve exits in the event of an emergency, he said.

 

Local fire safety officials have endorsed the 10-foot shift in the building's location, Ward said.

 

Responding to a request from Zoning Board of Appeals Chairwoman Doreen A. Prouty, City Solicitor Christopher C. Johnson said yesterday he had been advised by the state that the Zoning Board could hold a public hearing on the plan changes no sooner than 14 days after notice of the hearing was published in the local newspapers. With the notice published yesterday, April 4 was the earliest date the hearing could be held, officials have said.

 

The Conservation Commission's March 27 public hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Agawam Public Library. The Zoning Board's April 4 hearing is set for 11 a.m. at the Department of Public Works building at 1000 Suffield St.

[JetsDevs4Lyf]

Well as of right now all is well then. Just goes to show you though that from a business sense you really need to watch out for whose buttons you push as it can really come back to bite you at times.

[redsoxfan0810]

Good to hear, now BUILD, BUILD, BUILD!

[JetsDevs4Lyf]

Seems as though there is still a bit of work to be done before everything gets back on track:

 

Another MassLive Article:

 

Tensions ease on Six Flags coaster project

Sunday, March 30, 2008By DAVID BERGENGRENdbergengren@repub.com

AGAWAM - Tensions between city permitting officials and Six Flags New England - punctuated by a stop-work order issued on the amusement park's $7.5 million indoor roller coaster project last month - appear to have eased in recent weeks.

 

Three weeks ago, park president Larry D. Litton, faced with having to seek a new set of permits after several changes were made to the plans previously approved by city boards, said, "We're still hoping to open by Memorial Day weekend, but the town of Agawam is sure making it difficult to do that."

 

Litton said a Memorial Day weekend opening is no longer realistic.

 

"The best-case scenario, we're hoping that we're building again by the 10th or 11th of April," said Litton, "We're going to get it open as early as we possibly can."

 

The amusement park is scheduled to open for the season April 12.

 

Faced with time constraints that include a tie-in with this summer's opening of the Batman movie "The Dark Knight," Six Flags may have jumped the gun a bit on building its "Dark Knight Coaster" ride, Litton conceded.

 

"We did start construction before we had all the construction permits," he said. "We did not expect the uproar this has caused."

 

Building Inspector Dominic Urbinati issued a stop-work order on Feb. 20, saying Six Flags had begun significant construction without a building permit.

 

Without the proper construction documents, Urbinati said, there was no way he could ensure the project met state building and safety codes.

 

Three weeks ago, Litton said of Six Flags and the City of Agawam, "It's not an ideal working relationship right now," but last week he amended that, saying, "I'm feeling a lot better about it."

 

"A lot of it was misinformation and miscommunication," he said. "I think it just took getting people to the table, and explaining what we did and why we did it (and) why we were not happy with the way things were originally handled."

 

Litton credited Mayor Susan R. Dawson, state Rep. Rosemary Sandlin, D-Agawam, state Sen. Stephen J. Buoniconti, D-West Springfield, and the City Council, among others, for helping turn the situation around.

 

Of Dawson, he said, "She has done all she can do to expedite the process."

 

Dawson complimented Litton in return and said, "They're in a tough spot right now," a nod to the pressure Six Flags is under to get the state's first indoor roller coaster up and running.

 

"Everybody is trying to do what they can (to help), but we're still faced with guidelines that we just can't get around," Dawson said.

 

"If they had gotten the permits at the beginning," she said, "we would have had more latitude to help get this through at the beginning, but the communication just wasn't there."

 

The new plans - primarily a 10-foot shift in the building's footprint to meet state fire safety codes - passed muster with the Planning Board on March 20 and with the Conservation Commission last Thursday. On Friday, at 11 a.m. at the Agawam Department of Public Works building at 1000 Suffield St., the Zoning Board of Appeals will review the new plans.

 

If the Zoning Board - which granted a special permit for a height variance Feb. 11 on the original plans - approves the new plans, that should pave the way for Urbinati to issue a building permit for the project, officials have said.

 

Safety remains the company's primary concern, Litton said. "We do not open the ride until every inch has been inspected," he said. "Safety is always our number-one concern."

 

Permitting board members have been sympathetic to Six Flags - which pays more than $2 million to the city in taxes each year - but have also been critical of park officials for starting construction without all the required permits in place.

 

Every member interviewed said their board had treated Six Flags fairly.

 

"We treat everybody equally," said Planning Board Acting Chairman Travis P. Ward."We appreciate Six Flags as a good neighbor, but this was an issue of the town becoming aware that something wasn't quite right. This has to do with following the letter of the law, and protecting public safety."

 

"You go by the state regulations," Conservation Commission Chairman Henry Kozloski said. "We cannot speed up the process, which is controlled by the state."

 

An appeal of the earlier special permit granted by the Zoning Board has been filed in Hampden Superior Court on behalf of the owners of a Main Street property adjacent to Six Flags. Litton has indicated, however, that when all the permits have been approved, Six Flags intends to resume construction at its own risk as allowed by a state law passed in 2006.

 

If the appeal were to succeed, the court could order all or part of whatever had been constructed to be torn down, but Litton said he was confident Six Flags would prevail in the case.

Edited April 1, 2008 by JetsDevs4Lyf