Instead of being known as the “Borscht Belt” we can soon be known as the “Egg Roll” capital of the world.
With the Asian population booming across the country, a group of investors wants to build a massive “China City” complex right here in Sullivan County and I mean massive. It even looks and feels like an old fashioned Chinese Menu with selections from a Column A and Column B, and the fortune cookie is even included.
“China City” will stretch from The Town of Thompson in Rock Hill into Mamakating, and even include a gaming casino with 4,000 slot machines, housing, hotels, amusement parks, and everything else imaginable and unimaginable.
On the surface it all sounds fascinating, but in actuality the real intent of the project could be for a place for emigrants from China to live.
Although the development is in the initial planning stages, the Town of Thomson held a public meeting Wednesday night with its developers.
Here is the link to view a video of the presentation
Sherry Li, described the Chinese Disneyland concept will be primarily funded by rich Chinese investors seeking green cards. The way developers want to finance the project is intriguing.
They plan to use the little known federal visa program called EB5. Rich investors from other countries receive a green card for the United States if they invest half a million dollars in a business in an underemployed rural area such as Sullivan County.
Besides housing, and an amusement park, they plan to develop a commercial center with warehouses and retail in Mamakating. There would be 1,0000 housing units, some built in the Town of Thompson off Wild Turnpike Road.
The $6 billion project according to its website ChinaCityofAmerica.com will portray the Chinese culture using “Yingjing” and “Feng Shui” principles for visitors to experience.
China City of America is in process of purchasing land on Wild Turnpike Road from Simon Gelb who was originally wanted to use the property to construct a Hassidic development.
I know we have all heard everything under the sun – but if China City works, it could place Sullivan County back on the map in a way like we have never seen before. This entirely new market could become a real economic generator for us.
Asian people like to gamble, and the developers are using Sullivan County’s casino gaming hopes as a means to also attract investors. Asian developers are known to invest in projects attached to gaming, such as Foxwoods, and Resorts World.
China City of America will have multiple phases of development.
Site A has more than 566 acres. It will be developed in connection with the Phase I of this project and more than 6 other future or associated projects.
It is a combined project that contains an Amusement park, museum, leisure, shopping mall, show places, Lodging, Hotels and offices together with Chinese Culture input.
Site B has over 1800 acres of land, the site B will be used for residential, commercial, education center and other projects. Total land will be used is 2366 acres.
Here is what is planned for China City:
16 Dynastic Empire China China City of America aims to recreate the 16 dynasties from China’s history by using the different architectural designs and styles in shopping malls, performance areas, recreational facilities, rides and dining areas.
Inner Forbidden City The centre of the project will be the Forbidden City buildings which will be utilized as art exhibition, dance and musical shows platform and special events.
• 8 Functional Sections 8 Gold, wood, water, and fire: 4 food courts and 4 show platforms
• 28 Chinese horoscope signs and ticket booths, the park will be surrounded by a time tunnel monorail-train/bus available for visitor’s to ride and experience the 28 Chinese horoscope signs and ticket
• 2 Hotels with a total of 400 rooms
• Villa Hotel Apartments
• 4000 slot machines in Gaming 4000
• Animation Production
• Temple of Heaven
• Museum& Art Venue Centre
• Joint Operating Clubhouse
• Community Association Clubhouse
Phase I Site A Associated Projects
12 Zodiac Districts This area will contain separate sections dedicated to the 12 zodiac animals. Each unique section’s will have a shopping, rides and entertainment area that is inspired by the according zodiac animals.
56 Ethnic Village The Park will also showcase the 56 nationalities of China with 56 different pavilions devoted to each nationality. Each pavilion will have performances, stories and other entertainment pertaining to the nationality.
Chinese Gong Fu ( Martial Arts) Park and Sports Chinese fomous factions of Gong Fu Groups such as Shaolin, Wudang, Emei, Qingcheng, Ect. Their Temples and venues, martial arts shows, training classes, competitions and souvenirs; Yankee Lake water sports projects; Boxing match and shows; sports fund chain store sports projects and individual projects.
Four Famous Novels Park The park of the Chinese four most famous classic novels of a Dream of Red Mansions, Outlaws of the Marsh, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Journey to the West; with the rides and water fun facilities.
Villa Hotel Work with public company and do business with them following the BT( Building and Transfer) Model
Casino New York State has completed the first round of legislative vote that casino can be opened through New York business application. It is expected that the new government will conduct the second legislative vote in 2013. The casino will become true once the vote approved. As a popular tourist destination, Sullivan County will be the key development of the casino.
China City of America Phase 2 and 3
China City of America provides high-quality and comfortable real retate in the entertainment, commercial, residential and shopping areas. It offers state-of-the-art living conditions, reflecting the rapid advancements in technology and an increase in housing quality. It is dedicated to combining the Chinese and Western culture in an environment where tenants and owners alike can enjoy all of the benefits of a hassle free, safe, attractive, and inviting living environment. Unlike many other real estate projects that are solely concerned with turning profits, the primary objective at China City of America is to maintain the highest level of customer satisfaction that is possible while creating positive energy for everyone.
Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the China City of America projects and associated projects
Headquarter Centers Industry Headquarter Centers Over 30 exhibition halls and office buildings in different sectors, it become the supportive and service function area for the Phase 1 Empire China area, follow the current low 8th Unary buildings to construct.
36 provinces, direct city and special districts headquarters
36Logistic Centers Provide the custom report-storage-deliver-bilingual communication all in one services to the merchants.
Education Center The executive programs from famous colleges— The over 100 college programs provide by non-profit foundation— Basic Education： preschool-high school
Hotel Apartment Provide the one stop services for international students
Western Style Villa Provide the international students and professional family comfortable home.
Hundred family names of Courtyard Villas Following Chinese 100 family names to build Courtyard Villas, one family name, only building one house and provide the family tree map and the historical stories.
Senior Housing Provide the good Medicare system to those senior people who become a green card holder.
Mother and Child Center
So what do you think? Is China City for real? Or – is it a ponzi scheme? Confucius says…….
Bill Liblick has made a name for himself of National TV Talk Shows where he spouted his outspoken views from the front row. Now he offers you his opinion every week in the “MOUTH THAT ROARS” Column in the Sullivan County Post