Highway Sign

[FParker185]

Was the the Gurnee Village Meeting Tonight where on the Agenda SFGAm applied for a zoning varience to modify their highway sign (also the toll in front of SFGAm was on the agenda, but alittle more on that later).

SFGAm did get permission to add to their sign, they will be adding something to the top of the existing sign, addition will be 160 square feet, and it will be SFHH related, was passed 5-0 by the board of trustees.

Also talked alittle with Ron Sevart afterwards, said that sign will likely be replaced next year with an all new sign as the current highway sign has outlived it's usefulness (agreed), so later on this year SFGAm will probably apply for another varience to build them a new sign, I'll inform everyone here when they do,

Also talked to Mr. Sevart about some other things park related, and in short he feels the park has degraded greatly from where it should be and it's his #1 goal to get the park back up to an acceptable standard, and piece by piece we will all see huge improvements, especially in the important areas such as Staffing, Paint/Cleanliness, and restoring themeing in parts of the park to look like they should. This year the focused on the really importatnt things, mainly infrastructure stuff, quite a few buildings in the park got new roofs this year, and that is a huge start. And of course everyone I'm sure has seen some of the rehabilitation that was done to a bunch of the food service outlets (did not inquire about Crazy Buffalo).

Talking to Mr. Sevart today has instilled some confidence in me that hopefully things will finally be done right at the park, and sometime in the near future SFGAm will again be in full glory instead of a ghost of what it once was.

To late to continue this, but for I-Pass the village is very very very against the whole idea despite possible benefits (tollway would pay to completely re do the whole Rt 132 bridge over the tollway, and making new exit ramps, including one that would take you straight to Six Flags Parkway without any need to travel on grand avenue, though despite that, the county, city, park, and residents of Gurnee and surrounding cities are extremely opposed to the whole idea though the County, city, park, and residents of Gurnee have absolutely no say in the matter and the tollway can basically do what it wants, tehy do hope to stop the whole thing. Also if they move the toll north Belvidere Rd and Grand Ave would both get exit ramp tolls, along with most of the exits leading up to the toll.

the Mayor said the park really doesn want a toll related backup on the tollway directly in front of the park, making all kinds of noise and air pollution within yards of their waterpark.

[Maggie&meSFGAm?]

I guess a new sign would be nice. However, I don't see what's wrong with the old one (besides it doesn't have HH). I understand that you want SFGAm to get back to the "glory days." Has our park become so pathetic right now? The very simple things make me mad, and I'm sure they might make others.

Big stations are a terrible idea and controlling lines in them is a good idea! Front vs other rows is another problem. I can't get to other rows because people are blocking both the front rows and the other rows. They straddle no divider. Also, ERC should have two ride operators. Hometown Fun Machine should be moved/replaced with another scrambler and moved.

It doesn't really matter how a food stand (on the outside) looks. People will still eat there because they like the food. It doesn't matter what funnel cake place I choose because they are all the same to me, and very good.

[greatamerica2003]

Wellm remember that the sign in question has been there since 1976, and has remained virtually unchanged since then. With the exception with the lighting on the INTERIOR no longer functioning and it is now lit from the ground with spotlights. The logo on the sign is the same from Time Warner ownership, so it does warrant a serious upgrade or replacement.

[danieln84]

About the toll plaza thing....if it passes. i guess my new Route to six flags will be "I-94, Exit Waukegan I-41, TakeI-41, Then slight right on I-21. I-21 Hits Grand, Take Right. End: Six Flags PArkway" and THat my friend is my way of By passing Tolls!

[Sireze]

I Was just thinking about Sfgam getting a new sign since SFHH is here. But They should REALLY (To Me) Get a whole new sign instead of adding SFHH on top. I mean come on, whats the use of adding that on top of the sign and the Highway Sign been there for 29yrs (Next yr is SFGam's 30th anniversary). They should just build a whole new sign to me. Thats just stupid and a waste of millions or thousands of dollars!

[SFGA 11]

If you read what he said, he said that next year they will add a whole new sign. Also, do you honestly think a sign would cost millions of dollars?

[Mr. D.T.]

I like the sign. It's got an excellent marquee, but I don't know how drivers on I-94 will read everything.

I just remembered what a good view of the parking lot I saw when I got off the Raging Bull and onto the exit ramp. Now HH stuff keeps the sign out of view.

[Sireze]

My bad

[twixmix0303]

Front vs other rows is another problem. I can't get to other rows because people are blocking both the front rows and the other rows. They straddle no divider.

One thing I really, really hate is when people can't figure out how the yellow line works! If you're riding front row, you don't get to take a free walk from the end of the queue house all the way to the station! It's only there to help keep the front row line from taking up the entire queue when it overflows. Some people are such morons, do they think Six Flags would actually let them line jump just because they are riding front row? People who do this should be asked to return to their original spot in line.

[sixflagsguy5]

I don't like that they're adding tolls, but it probably won't affect me very much.

[zjohn1988]

Next yr is SFGam's 30th anniversary).

This year is 30. Add it up and include 2000 and you get 2005 as the 30th season.

[Do I Know You]

It's the 30th season, not the 30th anniversary

[Maggie&meSFGAm?]

One thing I really, really hate is when people can't figure out how the yellow line works! If you're riding front row, you don't get to take a free walk from the end of the queue house all the way to the station! It's only there to help keep the front row line from taking up the entire queue when it overflows. Some people are such morons, do they think Six Flags would actually let them line jump just because they are riding front row? People who do this should be asked to return to their original spot in line.

Exactly, my point. Its a very simple thing like that which bugs me. I don't think people say that's a terrible sign, and think I won't go there. Sure, a new sign would be nice, but why waste money? If one person on top, Mr. Stevart maybe would actually stand in these lines at least one "packed" day, they could see how it impacts people.

[DejaVu The Ride]

Believe me, Sevart actually does care. He HATES line jumping. BTW, while he was talking about traffic and about the new tolls, he mentioned that he was going to drive onto the highway and see how it all really goes down. I think he is good for the park.

[Aero737]

Well he stated that EVERY full time employee must visit the park at least once in the next month as a member of the general public. This means they ride the rides, eat the food, wait in line, etc. He himself is also doing this. I'm sure it will get noticed soon. Again, he only saw 2 operating days in 2004 and a whole 3 weeks in 2005. Give it some time.

[diggerg56]

I've exchanged some emails with Mr. Sevart since NoCoasterCon and I'm glad to see others are noticing the same things I am about him . He certainly has a lot of ideas about what he wants to do to improve the park but at the same time he really wants input from passholders and the general public about what can be done to make their experience a better one.

While many of us that visit other parks, including other Six Flags parks, feel like things run pretty well at SFGam it's nice to see someone whose goal seems to be making it the best it can be.

[DejaVu The Ride]

Yeah, Sevart even failed to remember the name of Skull Island. The next three to five years are huge for the park! There will be a lot of enhancements that the park has been waiting for, for a long time.

BTW, Sevart said he wanted the 2006 waterpark addition in before his December vacation.

[Binks Drake]

I noticed the rumored tornado pool was filled in with dirt, most likely to cover it up until next year.

[Danhockey04]

rumored tornado

That is funny.

BTW, it isnt dirt, it is sand.

[coastermadness05]

out of the last 10 years ive seen this park, these last 2 have been the best. Sevart shows a great concern for everything going on and his improvements are well thought out. I think anything he has to offer weather its the sign or park improvements, it will be well appreciated.

[DejaVu The Ride]

He even said he talked/will talk with Black and tell him what he is missing. Though he mentioned that Black did what is best for him and his family and that he is happy with his choice of leaving. Sevart also mentioned that he hopes to return next year.

[Maggie&meSFGAm?]

I forgot to add that East River Crawler NEEDS 2 operators.

[danieln84]

Are we talking about the Random PAtch of Sand located in the island (which the river goes around?) that looks like a catch pool?

that would be awsome.

Hrm, im willing to bet im all wrong

[Carlo]

Yep, you are correct.

[Dmrbug]

Here is an update on the Tollway plan:

Tollway drops Gurnee plaza. No extra toll for Six Flags!