Manatee Water Park Seeks Land, Investors

Last March, a grand plan for a 15-acre water park in Manatee County captivated the public and local media outlets.

Developer Garrick that he expected the $13 million project would be built in the next 24 months.

The water park even had an adveturouse name: Jungle Falls.

Ten months later, no land has been purchased for the wtar park, and no permits requested to allow for its development.

But interest is high, with many wondering: When will Manatee's water park be built?

Patch interviewed Newman and asked him about the status of his plans.

“Land and investors, it’s the chicken and the egg,” he said. “I’m in talks with investors from Italy, and in talks with owners of two potential sites.”

Both sites are along the I-75 corridor, one near State Road 64 and the other near the Moccasin Wallow overpass.

He also is eyeing a third site farther south in Manatee County.

“In a perfect world, from permitting to construction to grand opening would be about 18 months,” said Newman. “The bulk of that time would be permitting, licensing and inspection. There is a lot of regulation.”

Jungle Falls is not looking for economic incentives, he said.

“We’re not looking for tax dollars. We’re looking for a fast-track" permitting process," he said. "We’re not asking for impact fee reductions or tax breaks. This project can stand on its own.”

Newman said that the basic concept for the park is the same as when it was introduced.

They include a 20,000-square-foot wave-pool lagoon with a simulated tropical beach, volleyball courts and more than a dozen water slides, according to a press release last year.

“I’m still excited about it,” Newman said.