Concerns raised about Zippin Pippin

GREEN BAY - A Green Bay mayoral candidate claims city hall documents reveal the Zippin Pippin will now cost more than $4 million.

Pat Evans, who is currently a Brown County supervisor, says a city employee came to him with the inside information on Bay Beach’s first roller coaster.

“The people on the inside, in city hall, are saying it's a boondoggle,” said Evans.

Evans says the person wanted financial information revealed about the roller coaster, but feared being fired by Mayor Jim Schmitt.

“That is just not true that people can't ask questions,” said Schmitt. “Like I said, I have the most open door policy of anyone I know.”

Evans says the internal documents are confirmed to be correct with eight people at city hall.

“I don't know where he is going to get his numbers,” said Schmitt.

Schmitt couldn't provide a projected total, but denied the ride would now cost $4 million. Schmitt says the $2.5 million the city is paying for will be reimbursed in the ten years agreed to. He also says the ride still won't cost the taxpayers any money.

“If we can make it break even that would be good because there are other expenses,” said Evans.

Evans says numbers show the ride won't be profitable. He says the only way to break even would be to double the ride fare to $2 and to refinance the city bond to 20 years.

Evans claims two major expenses aren't included at all in the Zippin Pippin's projected revenues. Those expenses are inventory and training employees to perform a necessary, daily, three-hour inspection of the ride.

“Those things have been discussed and addressed,” said Schmitt. “We are comfortable with the consultants on this project and where we are at.”

“I'm not the guy that was down in Memphis, I'm not the guy that lied to the finance committee and the city council,” said Evans. “I wasn't the guy that lied to the people of Green Bay, but I'll be the guy that fixes it.”

Regardless of whose projections are correct, the Zippin Pippin is still scheduled to be ready to ride when Bay Beach opens this spring.

Evans says he never went to the mayor with his concerns. Mayor Schmitt says Evans should have talked to him instead of holding a news conference to address his questions.