Scott Maxwell: Breaking down the fight over Skyplex.
Last week, Universal Orlando threw a wrench into an entrepreneur’s plans to build the world’s tallest roller coaster on International Drive.
After heavy lobbying — and maybe some Harry Potter wizardry — Universal convinced Orange County’s planning board to recommend denial of the $500 million project.
Obviously Universal, the current coaster king, doesn’t want the competition … especially 570-foot-tall competition that could be seen from Diagon Alley.
But here are seven lesserknown details about this battle between the powerful park and the up-and-coming coaster:
1. The planning board overrode the recommendation of county staffers. County staffers had previously heard Universal’s gripes — and found them unconvincing. Instead, staffers recommended approval of the Skyplex project, saying it was a fine fit for the tourist hub, considering planned growth and the existing 425-foot-tall Orlando Eye just down the street.
2. Universal saying it doesn’t object to Skyplex — only its height — is wildly disingenuous. Skyplex’s goal is to be the world’s tallest roller coaster. That’s what earned the project global attention. Universal knows that cutting it in half would probably end that — and maybe tank the whole project, according to the developer ... which probably is Universal’s goal.
3. Buddy Dyer’s City Hall
sided with Universal .Inan unusual move, City Hall sent its planning director to the county to gripe about the Skyplex plans …even though the project isn’t in the city limits. That’s very unusual. Dyer’s office said the city has a vested interest in the broader area and that Planning Director Dean Grandin really just wanted a delay. But the impact was clear: City Hall was on Universal’s team … just as Universal has been on Buddy Dyer’s campaign teams. Not only have Universal and its lead lobbyist given money to Dyer’s campaign this year, lobbyist John McReynolds helped lead a business PAC that claimed it played “a major role” in getting Dyer re-elected last cycle.
4. Not a single regular old resident showed up to protest Skyplex. Not a one. If you’re arguing that a project will disrupt the neighborhood, you might expect some actual neighbors would show up to say so. They didn’t. In fact, the only nearby business owner who spoke said he wanted the Skyplex project to help all the surrounding businesses. But planning-board members seemed to give deference to a last-minute email sent the night before from a homeowners association near Universal — even though none of the members actually showed up — and to an I-Drive trade group
… which Universal helps lead.
5. Parking and traffic concerns are legit. Staff and board members made passing reference to concerns about parking and traffic. I think both of those things are valid concerns. I-Drive is often one big parking lot flanked by go-kart tracks and Japanese steakhouses. Skyplex could probably address this with garages, multiple entrances and traffic engineering. But that issue was barely mentioned.
6. A light too bright? The board’s main concern seemed to be that Skyplex’s lights might disrupt the serenity of the night sky. One member said she already disliked seeing the Eye from far away. The board chair mentioned dark-sky concerns as well. A dissenting member suggested that, if light intrusion were really the concern, the board should address that one issue. But, by that point, the board already seemed ready to vote Skyplex down.
7. It ain’t over. The planning board’s slim, 4-3 rejection was merely a recommendation to county commissioners, who have the final say. It will be interesting to see whether county commissioners — who stress economic development and yet are also cozy with Big Tourism — will tank a half-billiondollar project.
Watching two hours of debate on this strengthened my belief that this is about Universal trying to steamroll competition.
The idea that this project would harm the “character” of I-Drive — which is littered with T-shirt shops, hookah lounges, fast-food restaurants and a giant Ferris wheel — is laughable.
I’m still not completely convinced Skyplex can pull off this half-billion-dollar project. But if it fails, it should fail on its own — not because a deep-pocketed competitor pulled strings.