Many Frisco residents have expressed concern about Universal’s plans to build a park in their neighborhood.
At a special joint meeting of the Frisco City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday, residents made themselves heard regarding the proposed amusement park.
“We do not want this project,” Frisco resident Phil Evitt said at the meeting, CBS News reported. “This will decimate our neighborhood.”
Some Frisco residents favored the new park, but most residents at the meeting were against it.
“This city has lots to offer young children. This is not something that is going to benefit my teen children. I don’t think this city should be pushing tourism as a draw when the safety of our kids is at risk,” said Frisco resident Sarah Rouse.
“I think there’s just a lot better spots in the city,” Evitt said, per CBS news. “I don’t see why this has to be put right next to a residential area.”
Residents also called on the citizen’s advisory committee to study potential traffic issues from the park.
One resident raised concerns about the crime that tends to follow theme parks and destination cities.
“I do not want my city to become a destination city,” Frisco resident Melinda Preston said.
“Can you name one city that is a destination city that does not have high crime?” Preston, a 19-year Frisco resident, asked.
“When you bring someone in who is not a part of the community, they are not going to treat it the same way as we do.”
Another resident was excited about the prospect of all the new developments in Frisco.
“We really are a destination city already. We moved here because of that. I’m not sure how we could not be considered a destination at this point,” Valerie Wood said. “This feels like it fits right into the community. I’m thrilled for it, and I’m thrilled for Frisco.”
There is also growing support for creating a public park around the theme park, making it more secluded.
“We ask the city for a wide beautified path around the park that can be safely used by all Frisco residents,” Frisco resident Lance Taylor said.
“This will insulate the neighborhoods as well as provide a safe and walkable venue we can take pride in,” he said.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Frisco’s City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission delayed the vote on the theme park in early February.
The project is now due for a vote on March 7, according to CBS News.
