- Feb 15, 2012
- 17,504
- 48,413
Do you have a source that Universal actually got anything (approval to build higher) out of their opposition to the project?
It seems perfectly reasonable to me that Universal opposed the project because it's going to ruin sightlines in Volcano Bay and will be visible from most of their hotels, along with being additional competition in an already busy tourist district. That it was some sort of "con job" just feels like a fake internet theme park fan narrative to me.
You're right, we're looking at the pieces and forming a story here so let me explain more.
Here's a good place to start.
Skyplex | Page 20 | Inside Universal Forums
Skyplex petitioned for approval from the local government and community to rezone the land and for various other aspects of its project, such as height and traffic conditions. Universal created an astroturf movement to oppose those aspects, such as sight lines, that Skyplex had to respond to. They also raised several weird questions about aspects never discussed, such as significantly higher traffic, light pollution, fireworks, and more. Skyplex responded to these by showing sight-lines from UOR, responding to traffic studies, etc. Skyplex basically did the hard work for Universal.
Skyplex | Page 26 | Inside Universal Forums