Empire State Development Announces LEGOLAND® New York Coming to Orange County

Destination Resort in Goshen, Orange County Will Include a Theme Park, Educational Opportunities; First LEGOLAND Park in the Northeast Will Create 1,300 Jobs

$10 Million to Support Road Infrastructure and Traffic Mitigation on Route 17

Empire State Development today announced that LEGOLAND® New York, a 170-acre theme park resort, will open in Goshen, Orange County in 2020. Developed by Merlin Entertainments, LEGOLAND New York is the first LEGOLAND Park in the Northeast and will attract approximately two million visitors annually and leverage $350 million in its initial local investment. The destination resort will include a theme park featuring well-known LEGO® characters and will feature strong educational components for children ages two to 12 and their families. New York State also announced an additional $18 million to support the project, including off-site road infrastructure improvements and traffic mitigation measures on Route 17.

Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said,“LEGOLAND New York will further anchor the Mid-Hudson region as a top-notch destination for visitors to New York State and will generate millions in local investment for the Town of Goshen. LEGOLAND New York’s commitment to community partnership – including donating a portion of its revenue to the community, strong educational opportunities and STEAM programming, and workforce training – make this project a win-win for Orange County.”

State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Cathy Calhoun said, “Governor Cuomo knows that transportation is critical to mobility and economic development, which is why he is making smart investments to modernize and renew highways and bridges across New York State. Improving the exit 125 interchange and nearby infrastructure will support local growth, ease travel and improve traffic safety for us and generations to come.”

Merlin Entertainments Chief Executive Officer Nick Varney said, “We have spent a lot of time building relationships in the community, listening and responding to concerns, and we are looking forward to building a theme park that will enhance the community and be a tremendous neighbor. I am honored to announce LEGOLAND New York is officially moving forward. We are humbled to join the Goshen community. I can pledge to you that LEGOLAND New York will be a trusted and valued member of this community. I am thrilled that Goshen is the place where we will build our third LEGOLAND Park in the U.S. – the first in the Northeast. I am eager to continue with our $300 million investment with significant more investments to follow in the years to come, providing Goshen, Orange County, the Hudson Valley and New York State with significant economic benefits.”

LEGOLAND New York Park closely aligns with the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council’s strategic plan for vibrant, local economic growth by continuing to position the region as a premier tourist location building upon the region’s scenic beauty, local agriculture, food and beverage industry, arts, culture, history and recreational assets. LEGOLAND New York was endorsed to receive $7.1 million in grants through the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative and today announced $8 million through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative. New York State will also invest $10 million to support off-site road infrastructure improvements and traffic mitigation measures, including relocating and reconstructing the exit 125 interchange on Route 17, constructing a new bridge over Route 17, widening the South Street and Route 17M intersection, upgrading Harriman Drive, extending a third, westbound lane on Route 17 between the relocated exit 125 and just east of exit 124 and upgrading traffic signals, one on Harriman Drive and the other at the intersection of South Street and Route 17M.

LEGOLAND New York, set to open in 2020, will invest $350 million in the project and will create 800 construction jobs and 1,300 full-time, part-time, and seasonal jobs.

Senator John Bonacic said, “LEGOLAND New York will be a transformative economic development project for Goshen and the entire Hudson Valley and I'm proud to support it. I thank my partners in government for their vision and hard work in doing a thorough due diligence in moving the project forward.”

Goshen Town Supervisor Douglas Bloomfield said, “I am very happy that Merlin Entertainments has chosen Goshen to build this exciting and unique project, one that will be meaningful to families and children across this community. This project will bring investment and revenue into Goshen, and bring funding and exciting partnerships to our local schools. I look forward to working with Merlin as they build LEGOLAND New York and we are excited for the fun ahead.”

Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said, “Orange County is experiencing significant growth in both job creation and tourism. From Norwegian Airlines bringing thousands of tourists to the County, to Woodbury Common attracting shoppers from around the globe, to the now eagerly anticipated arrival of LEGOLAND, our economy continues to flourish. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to create a pro-business environment in Orange County and I appreciate the continued support of Governor Cuomo and our economic development partners in the County on this exciting and monumental project.”

The LEGOLAND NEW YORK project will bring significant community benefits to the Town of Goshen. Every year, LEGOLAND New York will host two Community Days for the Town of Goshen and donate 50 percent of the park’s ticket sale revenue to the Town of Goshen, creating a unique opportunity for fundraising by the town. All Goshen residents will be offered a 50 percent discount on standard one-day tickets to LEGOLAND New York for their own use.

LEGOLAND New York will feature an ongoing commitment to education. The park will offer year-round educational opportunities to school children throughout the region, with programs focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math education. LEGOLAND New York will partner with local schools and colleges to train and employ students interested in careers in hospitality, business, and mechanical engineering. In addition, LEGOLAND New York will offer special programs and discounted tickets to area schools, including all school districts within Orange County.

About Merlin Entertainments

Merlin Entertainments plc is a global leader in location based, family entertainment. As Europe's Number one and the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates more than 100 attractions, 15 hotels and 6 holiday villages in 24 countries and across 4 continents. The company aims to deliver memorable experiences to its more than 60 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its more than 29,000 employees (peak season). Visit www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.

 

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