Six Flags New England Wins.....

[SFaddiction84]

Agawam OKs new highs for Six Flags roller coasters
by The Republican Newsroom
Thursday November 06, 2008, 10:37 PM

AGAWAM - Local officials Thursday applauded the City Council for approving a zoning ordinance amendment that will allow Six Flags New England to build roller coasters up to 200 feet tall without a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The amendment, which was under discussion for months, was passed by an 8-2 vote Wednesday. Because it involves zoning, it needed at least eight votes to pass.

"I believe that this will expedite the process of building rides for Six Flags," Mayor Susan R. Dawson said. "It doesn't allow them anything more than the opportunity to build something as high as what's already there."


"From the town's point of view," Dawson said, "it is important to work cooperatively with all businesses in town."

City Councilor George Bitzas said, "This is only for the amusement park, not for other businesses in town."

Saying Six Flags is a major taxpayer in Agawam, Bitzas said easing its process to build new rides, "is, I think, in the best interests of the town." The amusement park pays more than $2 million a year in real estate and property taxes to the city.

The amendment will allow Six Flags to build roller coasters and other rides up to 200 feet in height without a special permit inside a buffer zone of 250 feet around the perimeter of the park where it abuts Main Street and other residential areas. The previous maximum height allowed without a special permit was 45 feet.

Bitzas pointed out that the buffer zone had been increased from 150 feet in earlier proposals to 250 feet in the approved version of the amendment and said the Planning Board and other local and state agencies would still have to review any future roller coaster projects for safety and other potential issues.

Councilors Dennis J. Perry and Donald M. Rheault voted against the amendment, saying it would remove a layer of review for Six Flags future projects and reduce input from concerned residents. Council President Gina M. Letellier, who is on maternity leave, was absent.

The amendment will make it easier for Six Flags to build new roller coaster and other rides in the limited time it has between the close of its fall season and the reopening in the spring, several officials said.

"Six Flags has been a good neighbor," Council vice-president Cecilia P. Calabrese said, "and I want them to know that we want them to stay, and I think we sent that message."

"I'm ecstatic. I couldn't be more thrilled," Six Flags New England President Larry D. Litton said after Wednesday's vote.

"What it's going to do is allow us to look at more options, (because now) we can do them in a timely fashion," Litton said. "I couldn't be more pleased that the town is both willing and able to work with us (on this)."

The long process of winning approval from the Zoning Board earlier this year contributed to Six Flags abandoning a $7.5 million indoor roller coaster project, Litton has said.

Donna J. Piper, of Southborough, who led a small contingent of members of the American Coaster Enthusiasts to Wednesday's meeting to support the proposed zoning ordinance amendment, said after the vote, "I love the park. And with tonight's decision, as Mr. Litton says, it opens up options."

"We really want Six Flags to have the opportunity to grow and present (more recreational) opportunities for families," Piper said.

[SFaddiction84]

I would also like to add. The 2 people that voted no, said they thought this cut out a chance for the residence in the area to speak there mind.

You know what, this is stupid! You KNEW there was a theme park right there, and what happens at a theme park?, Noise, Loud Coasters, People Screaming and having fun..... So i might ask, why did you move there if you were gonna have a problem with it? My Point Exactly!

This same thing happened a few years back when local residents on the side of the park near American Eagle tried complaining to the city board that American Eagle was to loud and to close to the road.....Well when you moved in did you not see the big, large, loud, massive THEME PARK sitting right there across the street from you? I mean Seriously....

Do not move into a house within 1 or 2 blocks from a theme park if you are gonna have a problem with noise, and if you are unsure how the noise is, ask the residents. Go up to a neighbor, introduce yourself as a couple who might buy this house. "I was just wondering, how is the noise from six flags?"....Problem solved, buy somewhere else or leave your windows closed

[MForce4ever]

Sweet! Just in time for their new coaster...oh, wait...

[BP317]

"I believe that this will expedite the process of building rides for Six Flags," Mayor Susan R. Dawson said

"Six Flags has been a good neighbor," Council vice-president Cecilia P. Calabrese said, "and I want them to know that we want them to stay, and I think we sent that message."

Im glad SFNE gave them a wakeup call by taking down TDK, talk about leverage.

Height limit doesnt mean anything though, SFNE should be trying to use some of this leverage to talk about taxes .

[onyxhotel08]

I seriously hope one day we can get a ride higher than Raging Bull. Right now, chances are 0-5%.

[tp41190]

Speaking of news at SFNE...

[BP317]

All signs pointing to gothic type re-theme (Lex Luthor maybe).

[JordanSDMF]

I am going to guess purple & black. Or I hope so. Purple & blue wouldn't be as gothic as purple & black. I can't wait to see it finished.

And I strongly believe SFGAm should do what SFNE did with their Dark Knight. SFGAm has more of a reason to take it down. THERE IS ALREADY A WILD MOUSE IN THE PARK. It is a waste of space and money. So many people were disappointed to find out it was "Ragin Cajun but inside". And personally, I find RC more thrilling.

[tp41190]

^Its going to be Purple and Blue.

[JordanSDMF]

Ohhhh
I think purple and black would have been cool, but they are probably trying to save money by only repainting the track.

[BP317]

In the 1st pic you can see they are painting the track and supports, a few of them are still the faded light blue and most of them have the new shiny coat.

If only I was living in the midwest this summer id definitley make the drive back out there to check it out, so well worth it.

[BP317]

[phpBB]

[MForce4ever]

Why can't they do something to a ride that actually needs it, like for example the SLC...

[onyxhotel08]

We were fortunate to have Bull painted in 2007/2008 off-season. I am just wondering now when our next much-needed paint job will take place. Bull needed it. It is a standout ride at the front of the park/highway. What about the rest? I love that Raging Bull, who turns the big 10 next year is updated but we have so much left to do.

Dark Knight
Iron Wolf
Giant Drop
American Eagle (at least parts of it)

[JordanSDMF]

^The Dark Knight needs painting? Or just figuring out if they should sell it or not?
And I think AE would look stunning with a new paint job, and some fixed supports. Those bending ones are just lame for such a nice ride.

I think if they do anything to Iron Wolf, it should be big. They should redo the station, put a whole new paint job on, and get new trains. Maybe a bigger sign next to it so people know it's there. It really is hidden.

[tp41190]

I think the Yellows and Blues need to be repainted...because it seems like those fade the worst because there such a light colors. Iron Wolf seems decent personally. Its supposed to look like Iron/Rust and it looks just like that

The black colors don't seem bad at all at the moment same with Whizzer and its dark green color.

But for sure...the main structure for Eagle needs some touch up.

[JordanSDMF]

OOOO, Iron Wolf with the Nemesis colors and fake rust would look AMAZING.

[cycamps]

I think the new colors look pretty good. I'm curious to see what it will be re-themed as.

[T.K.]

I Donno if anyone found this news... Glown In The Park Parade wil not return to SFNE in 09

[tp41190]

I think the new colors look pretty good. I'm curious to see what it will be re-themed as.

bizaro Superman

[rct2wizard360]

And I strongly believe SFGAm should do what SFNE did with their Dark Knight. SFGAm has more of a reason to take it down. THERE IS ALREADY A WILD MOUSE IN THE PARK. It is a waste of space and money. So many people were disappointed to find out it was "Ragin Cajun but inside". And personally, I find RC more thrilling.

SFNE's was never put up except for a concrete slab.
And it was taken down because of ordinance/construction disagreements.

[onyxhotel08]

Turned out to be not so bad a deal if you ask me. I don't think we will see Dark Knight go away ever but I think this is the last we will see of a wild mouse being added to any Six Flags park for a LONG time.

[FParker185]

http://blog.masslive.com/breakingnews/2 ... oaster.jpg

First look at the new trains. Though looking at them, I'm not sure those are new trains, looks like an extensive retrofit of the old trains, especially with the box that's between your knees that used to house all the hydraulics for the T-bar. It looks like a really good solid restraint design though. The crotch knob along with longer seat cushions (back to knees direction) should keep everyone secure in the train from here on out. The geometry of that seat is far superior to the old ones, though really I think I like the Euro design better, with a longer seat cushion like these, then a bent T-bar to accomodate the longer cushion and to actually come down on your hips rather than into your belly or in the middle of your thighs. Huge improvements over the shackles no matter what though

I can't wait to ride it in a couple months, been a while since I was at SFNE last.

[rico28]

Bizarro is Here!
[url] http://www.dailyplanetspecialedition.com/[/url

I think the new colors look pretty good. I'm curious to see what it will be re-themed as.

bizaro Superman

You hit -it right on head

[Ilovthevu']

The question I know everyone is asking (okay only me) is are we going to get Lois Lane at the parks? She's hot except the cartoon one!