Earth Quest Adventures

[citykid09]

Here is an idea, why don't all of the people proposing theme parks around Houston come togeather with all of there ideas and build a mega themepark at the EarthQuest site (Orlando style). This way at least EarthQuest gets built.

Edited March 25, 2013 by citykid09

[Soapboxmom]

The latest article:

 

http://ourtribune.com/article.php?id=14971

 

 

[Hugh Stone]

 

If they build in phases or downsize the master plan,  I hope they don't cut out this section. It's supposed to have animal attractions, which would be like having another zoo in the Houston area.

[Soapboxmom]

http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=15441

"No cash on hand"  <sigh> 

But.....
http://www.ourtribune.com/article.php?id=15498

Go Grand Texas!!!!

[TowerSpotter]

It's not really an exciting update but this project is certainly not dead, it's not "if" its going to happen it is "when" its going to happen.

 

http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/atascocita/news/construction-projects-continues-to-progress-in-east-montgomery-county/article_924305f8-82ca-5f9b-bfb8-3dbb15b9abad.html

 

 

 

EMCID President Frank McCrady commented that there were no current updates on the development and that developers are still working to secure financing for the park.

 

Edited August 24, 2013 by TowerSpotter

[Soapboxmom]

The option for the Earthquest developers to repurchase the property from Friendswood as outlined in the bankruptcy docs expires in 14 weeks on December 15,2013.  We are down to the wire.

[Urbannizer]

More renderings/sketches, even though this may no longer be the design..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.bararch.com/project/earthquest-institute

[Houston?]

When will this thing kick off?

[TowerSpotter]

When will this thing kick off?

 

There is no official start date yet, final word on the project I believe is in December.

[Houston?]

Thanks! I hope it gets built.

[Soapboxmom]

http://houston.culturemap.com/news/city_life/11-07-13-the-new-astroworld-sets-an-opening-date-houstons-next-theme-park-to-blast-off-in-2015/?utm_source=sf_twitter

 

Grand Texas is going great guns! 

[TowerSpotter]

http://houston.culturemap.com/news/city_life/11-07-13-the-new-astroworld-sets-an-opening-date-houstons-next-theme-park-to-blast-off-in-2015/?utm_source=sf_twitter

 

Grand Texas is going great guns! 

 

Here is the thread for that one.

 

http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/27694-grand-texas-theme-park-new-caney/page-3

[Earthquest Lives]

From the beginning the EMCID board was aware that this project would take between 8-10 years to come to fruition. It is progressing well. The developer Chris Brown is being cautious but making great progress in finding the multiple funding sources required for this project. I believe the project will get bigger rather than not happen. I am sure the next few months of progress should confirm this project is alive and going to happen, contrary to all the negative media. The private sector does not discuss such things with the media until they are sure of their results. No news does not mean bad news.

[Soapboxmom]

Please clarify.  Are you saying the property designated for EarthQuest that was lost in bankruptcy will be repurchased before the December 15th, 2013 deadline as set in the bankruptcy filing?  Has Friendswood Development agreed to an extension or are they still planning to build homes on that property as they previously stated? 

[uscats35]

Any updates here?

[Witch King]

Any updates here?

 

I wouldn't hold me breath. It ain't gonna happen.

[Mab]

 

Contour Entertainment, the developers of the themed adventure park, EarthQuest Adventures; continue to assure community they are still alive, thriving and planning to move into the East Montgomery County community.

Since the timeline ran out on the lease for the plat of land in New Caney that was owned by Friendswood Development, Contour Entertainment has already selected a new section of land in East Montgomery County.

They plan to close on that particular parcel of land by May 2014. Because they are still working out all of the contract details and plans, the exact location Contour Entertainment has selected has not been made public yet.

“We are on our way,” Chris Brown with Contour Entertainment said at the Feb. 18 East Montgomery County Improvement District meeting. “When we were here at the December EMCID meeting, we indicated that we would be making an international trip to meet with potential investors and possibly sign agreements so we could move forward. That did happen as planned, signed the next level of agreements with these investors and have also officially filed for the international incorporation which is imperative for the international deposits to this plan to be made.”

This funding will allow for them to move forward with their plans. They have also identified a property that is significantly larger than where they had previously planned for near Roman Forest.

“We have entered into an agreement with the owner of the land and it is within the EMCID boundary,” Brown said. “We hope to close on the purchase of the property around the end of May 2014. We are not dead; EarthQuest is alive and doing well. We have multiple designers adjusting the plans for the new property and we are proceeding.”

Contour Entertainment includes several key facts about the area in the packets they give to investors for EarthQuest such as population increases in the area as well as the opportunity to reach 7.2 million people within a two-hour drive time and 4.7 million in a one-hour drive time.

Once the land is purchased, Contour Entertainment plans to work with local companies they will hire to build the project in phases.

Brown cites the downturn in the economy as a reason it has taken a long time to receive funding for the EarthQuest Adventures project but ensured the EMCID board that they are making positive steps in the right direction to make this project a reality.

At this point, their plans still include a water park, theme park, museums, lodging, restaurants and many other features they hope to fit in with the natural landscape.

“As we continue forward, it is our intent to hire local firms to work with us on the project and make this a local project,” Brown said. “I think a lot more people will be happy once we finally break ground on the land and we have backhoes out there. We will get there.”

http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/humble/news/earthquest-developers-we-are-still-alive/article_cf5fcbd6-0e4e-567e-a4cd-023916fa143d.html

[Nate99]

 

 

We are not dead;

 

That doesn't sound good. 

[TBooze]

Link from today's Chron. http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/kingwood/business/article/Developers-of-Texas-dinosaur-theme-park-trying-to-5285473.php?cmpid=houtexhcat#photo-5971646

I guess they're planning on closing on the land soon, and according to the article this project has grown in size. Sweet.

[Soapboxmom]

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2014/03/earthquest_chris_brown_contour.php

 

After the lawsuits, many ground breaking dates that have come and gone and talk of choosing from numerous investors for years on end, I have to question why the papers are still repeating anything said by Chris Brown, Don Holbrook or Frank McCrady as if it is fact.  Is that legitimate reporting?

[Slick Vik]

The other problem with astroworld was was that houston has no tourists. Tourism has a big effect on theme parks because it brings in a constant flow of out of town visitors.

[uscats35]

Open Summer of 2017

 

http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/humble/news/earthquest-adventures-development-plans-are-not-extinct/article_0257313c-39c5-511f-ad31-88ecaced5585.html

Edited April 18, 2014 by uscats35

[Sky-guy]

I dint know if this was already posted, but here's the website:

http://www.earthquestadventures.com

There are a few cool renderings on there.

[Triton]

I'm a little confused. Is this the same spot where Grand Texas is going in?

[Luminare]

Grand Texas is on 59. This one would be on 45 I think.

[Houston19514]

Grand Texas is on 59. This one would be on 45 I think.

No. Both are on 59/69. Earthquest is approximately at 1485. Grand Texas is further north, at 242.

[mollusk]

No. Both are on 59/69. Earthquest is approximately at 1485. Grand Texas is further north, at 242.

 

Sounds like Montgomery County going to become our equivalent of Orange County.

[Nate99]

Sounds like Montgomery County going to become our equivalent of Orange County.

 

The Woodlands : Irvine

 

New Caney : Anaheim

 

_________ : Newport Beach

 

Fill in the blank for me accurately, please!

[Soapboxmom]

http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/cleveland/news/earthquest-looks-forward-to-potential-capital-infusion/article_a6311cf0-035b-57e0-b8d5-f0b94379d3ad.html

Chris Brown and the mysterious investors did not show as promised.  Earthquest will now be taken off of future EMCID agendas until such time as Brown has money and contracts in hand. 

http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/courier/new

[Nate99]

Is anyone left that is not thinking "I'll believe it when I see it" on this thing?

 

 

[Soapboxmom]

 

Exempt Organizations Select Check

 

Exempt Organizations Select Check Home

 

Automatic Revocation of Exemption Information

The federal tax exemption of this organization was automatically revoked for its failure to file a Form 990-series return or notice for three consecutive years.

 

Revocation Date (effective date on which organization's tax exemption was automatically revoked):
15-May-2014

 

Employer Identification Number (EIN):
26-2454184

 

Legal Name:
INSTITUTE EARTHQUEST

 

Mailing Address:
21575 US HIGHWAY 59 NORTH
NEW CANEY, TX 77357-8355
United States

 

Exemption Type:
501©(3)

 

Revocation Posting Date (date on which IRS posted notice of automatic revocation on IRS.gov):
15-Oct-2014 

Edited January 14, 2015 by Soapboxmom

[Soapboxmom]

Still dipping into the public trough for an obviously failed project:

http://pvtimes.com/news/quarter-million-spent-and-nothing-show-it.html

[Mab]

[Urbannizer]

http://www.khou.com/story/news/investigations/2015/05/19/i-team-after-years-of-big-plans-where-are-mont-co-theme-parks/27607873/

[lockmat]

http://www.khou.com/story/news/investigations/2015/05/19/i-team-after-years-of-big-plans-where-are-mont-co-theme-parks/27607873/

 

Solid update, thanks for sharing.

 

To save some the need to to watch the video, the Grand Texas park owner says it was a mistake to promise 2015 but it is definitely happening.

 

The Earth Quest owners wouldn't comment except to say to expect an announcement soon.

[Soapboxmom]

Dubious consultant, Don Allen Holbrook, sued all the taxpayers that dared to comment and numerous bloggers, journalists and newspapers that wrote about the failed Earthquest project and lost.  He is now resorting to making death threats in order to silence me. 

http://www.realscam.com/f11/dealing-cyber-stalker-cyber-bully-soapbox-momster-cyber-stalker-abyss-4406/

Frank McCrady should have checked Holbrook out.  With this kind of behavior from the brainchild of the project there will be no way to ever bring it to fruition. 

[Soapboxmom]

Don Allen Holbrook, the failed Economic Developer involved with Earthquest, is once again committing resume fraud:

 

Dear Ms. Dobrott,

 

In doing my preliminary review I've discovered that Don Holbrook's membership and CEcD status lapsed a few years ago. He is no longer a member of IEDC (and therefore no longer a Fellow Member) and no longer holds the CEcD designation. We currently have no relationship with Don Holbrook and so cannot put this case in front of our Committee on Professional Conduct.

 

Best regards,

 

Tracy

 

 

 

Tracy Kitts

Chief Administrative Officer

International Economic Development Council (IEDC)

Main: (202) 223-7800 | Direct: (202) 942-9484

tkitts@iedconline.org | www.iedconline.org

 

 

 

Don Allen Holbrook sued all of the taxpayers in Texas that dared to comment on his failed Earthquest theme park:

 

http://www.houstonpress.com/news/fantasy-land-6593197

 

[The Pragmatist]

I hope there is not still some belief or hope that this will come to fruition at this point.

[The Pragmatist]

 

I'd call it being realistic, evidenced by the holding group's bankruptcy. When it's becoming increasingly clear that the backers for this were up to some shady dealings, why should one want or expect them to continue on with this? I'd rather see a different set of investors with more legitimacy come in and develop something than continue funding a group of what appear to be fraudsters.

[The Pragmatist]

I agree. Realism is alway better than entertainment. Total failure is always better than hope. Suburban sprawl, strip centers and junk yards are always better for every community within 200 miles of a large metropolitan area than ONE large unique family friendly tourist attraction, clear cut forests are always better than parks. Things that encourage people to go outside are never better than playing video games and watching T.V. Congratulations, You win!  

 

Yes, because your hyperbolic exaggeration has any merit... Your implication that I think all of the nonsense that you spewed onto your keyboard is disingenuous at best. Nonetheless, one can and should hope for a unique attraction. I am saying that you probably shouldn't hold out hope for this one in particular. If someone reputable comes through and puts an idea forward, I'd be all for it. Who knows? Maybe Grand Texas will get off the ground. I haven't kept up with that one as much, but it seemed like it has more forward momentum than this one. 

Edited January 15, 2016 by The Pragmatist

[BigFootsSocks]

Maybe he just doesn't understand your username...although this is the second case of hilarious irony involved with your username in the past few weeks.

[Nate99]

This one got all caught up with the East Montgomery whatever district stuff, not sure who dropped the ball there or when, probably everyone and all the time.

 

Grand Texas is at least a private deal, and they're going forward incrementally, which seems a lot more feasible, plus go karts. Really fast racing go karts. I'm in favor of this.

[The Pragmatist]

This one got all caught up with the East Montgomery whatever district stuff, not sure who dropped the ball there or when, probably everyone and all the time.

 

Grand Texas is at least a private deal, and they're going forward incrementally, which seems a lot more feasible, plus go karts. Really fast racing go karts. I'm in favor of this.

 

You cannot go wrong with a fast go-kart. Now, all they need is this theme, and it would be the best. 

[The Pragmatist]

My initial response was to Prag's post (#738) about how he hopes there is no more hope. Long live the dark side of the force! 

 

Grand Texas sounds like a better deal for the community in every way than Earthquest. But that doesn't mean I'm happy to see the Earthquest project fail or go away like other vindictive people seem to. Focusing only on the final project and lasting impact, Earthquest would have been great for the people of Houston for decades to come. You may not like how the project got started and who profited and how, but that would not have stopped anyone from enjoying Earthquest or the broader economic opportunities it might have given the community for the next 20 years.

 

The people who are/were accused of taking tax payer money and failing to deliver anything are long gone from this project. Contour Entertainment lead by Chris Brown is or was the force trying to save the project since 2012. I can see how someone might hope that anyone who might have taken money that they shouldn't have would get what's coming to them. But I see no reason to hope or be happy that the project itself is dead.

 

I do think the project is dead because I haven't heard of anyone trying to promote it in at least 2 years, but I don't hope– that there is no hope for it. There probably is no hope for it at this point. But what's so great about that? I'm not even sure why there is point in keeping this thread up anymore except to give soap box mom another venue to continue her private war with Don Holbrook.

 

Thankfully Grand Texas is just about as grand as Earthquest would have been. Although it's progressing at a snail's pace, there is physical movement at the property and no vigilante or bored housewife out to stop it.

 

Perhaps I should rephrase it to say, "I think that there is very little evidence in support of this coming to fruition in the near-term or even the long-term." My "hope" was that people aren't still clinging to this project as they get strung along by less-than-well-meaning individuals. That only seems to result in graft, and this project seems like it has been full of it. Maybe altering the semantics will appease you a bit more.

 

I am not happy that the project is dead as the concepts looked fun. I just think that all of the sketchiness surrounding this necessarily hasn't equated to good things for the community its in. Grand Texas, should it materialize, looks just as well now that they have scaled it up into a full-fledged park concept. I'd rather any of these projects be closer to the city itself, but it is what it is.

[The Pragmatist]

And I don't think I've heard of Adventure Point, so I'll have to take a look at that one.