The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
What does the owner of an Oceanfront amusement park do if he falls behind on city taxes? Sell the log flume ride, of course.
That's what worked for Bruce Mimran, who ran the small park at 15th Street and Atlantic Avenue for more than a decade before closing up shop. The park was best known for the Skyscraper, a 165-foot-tall ride that spun riders in giant circles.
Mimran said he fell behind on taxes while trying to sell the business. Unpaid equipment and admission taxes reached about $120,000 earlier this year, prompting the city to intervene to sell off the rides, said Tom Musumeci, who works in the treasurer's office.
A Massachusetts firm paid $215,000 for the park's log flume, he said. Part of that money was used to pay the back taxes and the rest will be used to pay other creditors. Business property taxes had not been paid for three years and the admission taxes were one year overdue, Musumeci said.
Mimran said it became too hard to make ends meet.
"It's a very capital-intensive business, and it just required a tremendous effort," he said.
The rides still for sale, including the Skyscraper, have been removed from the property.
Ken Young, president of the Norfolk Tides and Norfolk Admirals, was an original partner in the amusement park. Mimran said Young sold off most of his share in the park "years ago." He said Young's involvement today is a "very tiny amount."
Mimran pleaded guilty last year to misdemeanor charges related to unsafe and unsanitary conditions at a Norfolk trailer park he owns with Young.
Musumeci said Young was not involved in the city's effort to collect back taxes and sell the park's equipment.
Another amusement park is coming to the site. Jim Loomis, who owns Virginia Beach Motor World, a go-kart track on South Birdneck Road, will run the new park.
Motor World manager Kevin Bryan said "Atlantic Fun Park Virginia Beach" will feature a 100-foot-tall Ferris wheel. The city permit for the ride estimated its cost at $50,000. He said the aim is to open it around July 4, but renovations will continue into next year.
The 1-acre parcel is prime Oceanfront real estate - the city assesses the land at $4.9 million - across the street from the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier.
Aaron Applegate, (757) 222-5122, aaron.applegate@pilotonline.com
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Bruce Mimran the slumlord
Check out previous articles about Bruce Mimran in the Pilot. Google search his name and you'll see how he tried to rip off one of his employees who was injured working at his amusement park. The amusement park was dangerous (he'd been sighted on this too) AND a dump, just like his properties. Bruce never pays anyone ALL the money he owes them. That's why his apartments on 27th Street are still half finished. I'm sure the trailer court isn't exactly up to snuff either. This is the real reason why he didn't pay his taxes--not because the taxes were too high.
good idea
Ferris wheels look playful and inviting to all. That Skyscraper was just plain scary to see. No wonder there was not enough business to keep it afloat.
I CAN'T WAIT..
for global warming to raise the sea levels about 10 more feet so my little parcel of land 6 miles inland will be worth $4.9 million as ocean front property. Problem is it will probably take 4.9 million years for that to happen, and I'm just guessing I won't be around.
One more
One more taken out by the Tax Monster.
Wow...
Motor World is just one broken go-kart away from looking like a cheap carnival as it is. Should this guy really be allowed to ghetto up the city further with more of the same?
Virginia Beach will never be able to compete with the "other" beach if they don't raise the bar.
And that's a modest comparison
It's not like that South Carolina beach is that high of a bar.
I agree
Get some quality attractions priced according to fit all budgets higher prices for the tourons, they have money they are on vacation. Lower for residents with proof of residency, you have to give us something beside the shaft all the time.
My fondest memory of that
My fondest memory of that "other beach" as a kid was the go karts and dune buggies.
Taxes Not the problem!!!
Any who comment that taxes are the culprit don't relize that taxes are what keeps all the services such as beach maintenance, street repairs etc. in place. Whithout those services you would not have the tourist. No tourist no income for the small business......See how that works.
I am tired of all the Tea party No Tax group taking every opportunity to act like taxes are the cause of everything wrong in the world. The truth is this business didn't adapt to the economic times and didn't pay taxes collected from patrons to the taxing authority. The tax was paid by the consumer but that tax was not transfered to the city as it should have been. Reality rewards poor business choices with poor business.