No Kentucky Kingdom in 2012

The city of Louisville has rejected developer Ed Hart's proposal for them to issue $20 million in bonds that would allow Kentucky Kingdom to reopen next year.

His request for the State to put up $30 in bonds missed this year's legislature session, so the earliest the park could reopen now is 2013.  Ed Hart has already invested millions into his plan to get the park reopened, and has a staff of 12 on property.  He has a lease agreement for the park that expires at the end of this month, and he is not sure whether he will continue on or walk away.

The $20 million from the city would have allowed him to build the water park portion of his plan, with more expansion coming at a later date.  The water park was the most popular part of the former Kentucky Kingdom, so that was probably a prudent plan on his part.

Pretty disappointing news, but it's hard to blame a government for not wanting to take a risk with tax money these days.  Still, it would be great to see the park reopen in some form one day.