Novelist warns of Vega City ‘hellhole’

A FLORIDA-based, best-selling novelist, who has written extensively on the impact of large theme parks on his home state, says it sickens him to think a plan such as Vega City is even being considered by the people of Dublin.

Carl Hiaasen, a newspaper columnist with the Miami Herald and author of 17 books, including Team Rodent: How Disney Devours the World, described the area around Orlando, where Disney World is based, as an "ugly, congested, sprawling hellhole".

"If that's what people want in Dublin, then may God have mercy on all of you," he said.

Mr Hiaasen, whose darkly comic Florida-based novels have sold millions, said: "Personally, it sickens me to think that a city as beautiful and historic as Dublin could even consider the idea of a mega-theme park."

One of the United States-based backers of the Vega City plan cited Florida as an example of how mega-theme parks can be successful.

Those behind the proposed €7 billion, 2,500-acre venture have offered to organise a visit to the state for councillors and planners.

Mr Hiaasen said that while Disney World was much larger than 2,500 acres, Vega City was more extensive than many other theme parks.

He said of projects in his own state: "The job pitch is bullshit they always promise more jobs than they can possibly deliver. Same goes for the 'economic benefit' usually they hype the numbers by saying the project will bring x billion dollars into the Florida economy, when it's usually a fraction as much.

"And don't forget the cost to the public in infrastructure improvements new roads, utilities, and the sheer impact of the added traffic, crime, etc., that comes with such a huge project.

"I can't imagine anyone who has ever been to Orlando wanting their own home town to look like that. The problem with Disney is what else it attracted all around it."

Mr Hiaasen said it was possible the Vega City project was a Trojan horse to force rezoning. "In any case, I'll bet you a case of ale that these folks don't have $7 billion in the bank for a theme park, and that they're counting on the hype to chum up investors.

"I could be dead wrong, but the song-and-dance sounds very familiar," he said.