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Ohio plans $1.3bn entertainment district with theme park called Hollywoodland

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hollywoodland mixed-use project middletown ohio

Middletown is planning a $1.3bn project with a theme park and entertainment district.

Middletown in Ohio is collaborating with private investors on a $1.3 billion mixed-use development that would include an amusement park, entertainment district, water park and hotels.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the project, called Hollywoodland, would cover more than 50 acres. Middletown is collaborating with real estate investment group Main Street Community Capital LLC.

Plans for Hollywoodland project

hollywoodland mixed-use project middletown ohio
  • Movie studio and sound stages
  • Indoor amusement park with themed rides and games
  • Indoor entertainment and concert venue
  • Entertainment district with comedy club and F&B
  • Convention centre and convention centre hotel
  • Family-friendly hotel and water park
  • Boutique hotel and luxury apartments

“There are great bones to this area, and we look forward to working with the city and community members to launch a film and entertainment district, permanently bringing the film industry to the state of Ohio,” said David-Elias Rachie, founding member of Main Street Community Capital.

Middletown City Council is set to vote on the project on October 21 after a presentation from developers. If the project is approved, the city would use $7.5m in federal pandemic relief funds for pre-construction design, engineering and financial structuring.

Mixed-use development in Ohio

hollywoodland mixed-use project middletown ohio

“It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take full advantage of a myriad of local, city, state and federal incentives we have found a way to access, and in turn, and change the future of our city,” said Middletown City Manager Jim Palenick.

Hollywoodland’s indoor amusement park would feature themed rides, immersive entertainment, virtual reality (VR) experiences, and integrated retail and F&B (via FOX19 Now).

Elsewhere, Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio is going cashless in 2022. The park is following the lead of Kings Island in Mason, which has also opted for cashless transactions in the wake of COVID-19.

Cedar Fair is also looking into developing a $28m esports arena in Sandusky. The gaming facility would feature a 1,500-seat arena designed for esports, as well as gaming stations and F&B.

Images: Middletown City Council

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Bea Mitchell

Bea is a journalist specialising in entertainment, attractions and tech with 10 years' experience. She has written and edited for publications including CNET, BuzzFeed, Digital Spy, Evening Standard and BBC. Bea graduated from King's College London and has an MA in journalism.

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