Thread: EarthQuest Park / Don Holbrook / Contour Entertainment / Frank McCrady of EMCID

Located in southeastern Montgomery County, and with direct access to Hwy 59, this planned premier master-planned community will offer parks, trails, a large lake, and recreational facilities. There are planned landscape reserves and greenbelts for a quiet, natural setting. Whitestone, located on the east side of US 59, is the residential community component of a significant mixed-use development. The entertainment venue as well as a major retail/commercial development are located on the west side of US 59. Residential homes of various types will appeal to a broad market base. In Whitestone, residents will enjoy living, working, playing, and learning, all within the community. Planned are churches, a school site, daycare facilities, shopping, offices, and restaurants.
COMING SOON!
«map©2006 - 2009 Marlin Atlantis. All Rights Reserved. | Website Created by: DeWitt Marketing & TNT Media Productions, Ltd.
__________________________________________________ ___________

That was the current page.

__________________________________________________ _______________

Following is the page from 2005:


Whitestone is a 1,564 acre Master Planned Community located next to the famous Lake Houston just north of Houston, Texas. This community is ideally located off of the newly improved Highway 59 just north of Kingwood which boasts quick and easy access to frontage roads on both the east and west sides of the highway. With the communities of Kingwood to the south and the Woodlands to the west almost finished out, Whitestone is the next large developable master planned community in the northern sector of Houston. It is located 29 miles from downtown Houston, and provides a quick and convenient route to the major Houston employment centers.

Whitestone is also located just minutes from the new industrial park on 1485 and 1314 which is home to the one million square feet Wal-Mart Distribution Center. This choice land has been owned and preserved by Rice University for more than 100 years and will have over 863 acres of residential living and 205 acres of neighborhood and commercial services. The community plans for two elementary schools, one middle school and a day care center.

(click image for larger view)
Whitestone will be designed to meet the needs of all families from first time home buyers to second and third move up buyers. Whitestone will provide a sense of community with all the villages linked by miles of hike & bike trails. The goal of Whitestone is to offer a new level of quality and enhanced lifestyle.

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There is a 1043 acre property owned by Whitestone Houston Holding as this website shows. That 19 million dollar loan is due September 1, 2011. The loan showing due on June 16th shows no extension yet. That 19 million dollar loan I take to be on the residential development that has been on the Marlin Atlantis website since 2005. How long can Marlin Atlantis and its dozens of realted LLCs keep paying on these loans whne there seems to be little chance of breaking ground and getting these developments underway?

Soapboxmom

Domain Not Valid

The Earthquest Adventures site is down . I called the hosting service and the hosting fees have not been paid. The site is deactivated. Why is multi-billionaire Trey White not paying???

Soapboxmom

I called the service provider and the hosting fees were not paid. The account was deactivated for non-payment. The service provider most likely sent reminders, but no one bothered to pay the few dollars a month needed to keep the site up. That does not sound to me like they are working on it. We can call Trey White and his flunkies at Marlin Atlantis and inquire!

Registrant:
Global EarthQuest Holdings
13455 Noel Road
Dallas, TX 75240
US

Domain Name: EARTHQUESTADVENTURES.COM

Administrative Contact, Technical Contact:
Global EarthQuest Holdings
13455 Noel Road
Dallas, TX 75240
US
972-715-6400

Record expires on 27-Jan-2012.
Record created on 27-Jan-2007.

Domain servers in listed order:

NS17.WORLDNIC.COM 205.178.190.9
NS18.WORLDNIC.COM 206.188.198.9

Soapboxmom

"Global EarthQuest Holdings" owns about4 other domains

Email Search:
is associated with about 3 domains



Registrar History:
1 registrar


NS History:
1 change on 2 unique name servers over 4 years.


IP History:
6 changes on 6 unique name servers over 4 years.


Whois History:
24 records have been archived since 2007-12-08 .


Reverse IP:
684 other sites hosted on this server.

Whois Record<li id="profile-view" class="tab-strip-active">Site Profile<li id="registration-view">Registration<li id="server-view">Server Stats<li id="my-view">My Whois



Site Profile and Search Rank


Reverse Whois:
"Global EarthQuest Holdings" owns about4 other domains


Email Search:
is associated with about 3 domains



Registrar History:
1 registrar


NS History:
1 change on 2 unique name servers over 4 years.


IP History:
6 changes on 6 unique name servers over 4 years.


Whois History:
24 records have been archived since 2007-12-08 .


Reverse IP:
684 other sites hosted on this server.



Log In or Create a FREE account to start monitoring this domain name

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Registrant:
Global EarthQuest Holdings
13455 Noel Road
Dallas, TX 75240
US

Domain Name: EARTHQUESTADVENTURES.COM

Administrative Contact, Technical Contact:
Global EarthQuest Holdings
13455 Noel Road
Dallas, TX 75240
US
972-715-6400

Record expires on 27-Jan-2012.
Record created on 27-Jan-2007.

Domain servers in listed order:

NS17.WORLDNIC.COM 205.178.190.9
NS18.WORLDNIC.COM 206.188.198.9

Website Title:
Domain Not Valid


Title Relevancy
0%


Compete Rank:
#237,816 with 6,787 Unique visitors per month


Quantcast Rank:
#674,093




AboutUs:
Wiki article on Earthquestadventures.com



SEO Score:
85%


Terms:
9 (Unique: 9, Linked: 4)


Images:
5 (Alt tags missing: 5)


Links:
1 (Internal: 0, Outbound: 1)
NETWORK SOLUTIONS, LLC.

Created:
2007-01-27


Expires:
2012-01-27


Updated:
2010-11-30


Registrar Status:
clientTransferProhibited



Name Server:
NS17.WORLDNIC.COM (has 3,053,202 domains)

NS18.WORLDNIC.COM (has 3,053,202 domains)



Whois Server:
whois.networksolutions.com


General TLDs:
EarthQuestAdventures.com (registered and active website)

EarthQuestAdventures.net (registered and active website)

EarthQuestAdventures.org (registered and active website)

EarthQuestAdventures.biz (never registered before)

EarthQuestAdventures.info (registered and active website)

EarthQuestAdventures.us (registered and active website)

Apache/2.2.14 (Unix) FrontPage/5.0.2.2635

IP Address:
206.188.192.113Reverse-IP | Ping | DNS Lookup | Traceroute


ASN:
AS19871


IP Location:
- New York - New York - Network Solutions Llc


Response Code:
200


Domain Status:
Registered And Active Website
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _______________________
Why is Trey White the mutli-billionaire of Marlin Atlantis not paying the few dollars a month in hosting fees???

Soapboxmom

Nice blather, but let's see the website back up, property loans extended and ground breaking!

Soapboxmom

• Yourhoustonnews.com

EMCID delays decision on EarthQuest Institute proposal

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Posted: Thursday, December 16, 2010 12:00 am
EMCID delays decision on EarthQuest Institute proposalBy TIM WILLERTHouston Community Newspapers | 0 comments
The East Montgomery County Improvement District has turned down a request for funding by a member of the EarthQuest Institute team who wants to build the first phase of the museum project on the grounds of the EMCID Complex.
But Matthew Gardner, the institute’s chief science officer, figures to get another crack at selling his proposal this summer.

Gardner asked improvement district board members for $52,000 to pay for a building design concept and related images and plans he says will help raise $1 million to fill the proposed museum with interactive exhibits and other customer-friendly ‘stuff.’
“I see it as my job to move this project forward,” he told the board Dec. 9.

Gardener added that he plans to ask EMCID for a $1 million loan to build the museum, which he envisions being housed on EMCID soil while EarthQuest Adventures, a proposed 150-acre dinosaur theme park, is being built a few miles away.

Gardner said the first phase of the museum would be constructed with inexpensive, environmentally friendly materials that will be easy to move when the time comes.
A small modular hub, he said, would remain on EMCID property after the shell is moved to the site of the proposed 550-acre mixed-use project at Roman Forest Boulevard and U.S. Highway 59.

EMCID President and CEO Frank McCrady didn’t rule out Gardner’s proposal, asking him to refine his business plan and come back before the board in July.
“Absolutely we’re very interested in making this happen,”McCrady said. “It would give (EarthQuest Institute) a showcase, kind of a stage. I think having (the museum) on our property is one of the ways we can help.”

Gardner said he was not disappointed, but determined to press on in his quest to raise funding to build the nonprofit institute, which develops and presents state-of-the art exhibits, programs and information on energy, the environment and sustainable living.

“My goal is to find the resources to make this happen,” he said.
Last month, the EarthQuest Adventures developer told EMCID board members the mixed-use project must be re-packaged and built in phases in order to secure investors.
The first phase of the redesign - the dinosaur theme park and museum - will cost approximately $307 million to build
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I believe that Earthquest Institue is the only part of the project that can and should be saved. John Marlin, Trey White and all their phony LLCs , LPs and nonsense should be sent packing. Dr. Matthew Gardner and "Dino Don" Lessem should get their museum.

Fake multi-billionaire Trey White and his sidekick John Marlin should never have been allowed to go this far with taxpayers money. I firmly believe they are the reason the project is in the sad state is obviously in. Still no website. Still no loan extensions on file. Where have the millions of dollars thrown at this project gone???

Soapboxmom

• Yourhoustonnews.com

EMCID delays decision on EarthQuest Institute proposal

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Posted: Thursday, December 16, 2010 12:00 am
EMCID delays decision on EarthQuest Institute proposalBy TIM WILLERTHouston Community Newspapers | 0 comments
The East Montgomery County Improvement District has turned down a request for funding by a member of the EarthQuest Institute team who wants to build the first phase of the museum project on the grounds of the EMCID Complex.
But Matthew Gardner, the institute’s chief science officer, figures to get another crack at selling his proposal this summer.

Gardner asked improvement district board members for $52,000 to pay for a building design concept and related images and plans he says will help raise $1 million to fill the proposed museum with interactive exhibits and other customer-friendly ‘stuff.’
“I see it as my job to move this project forward,” he told the board Dec. 9.

Gardener added that he plans to ask EMCID for a $1 million loan to build the museum, which he envisions being housed on EMCID soil while EarthQuest Adventures, a proposed 150-acre dinosaur theme park, is being built a few miles away.

Gardner said the first phase of the museum would be constructed with inexpensive, environmentally friendly materials that will be easy to move when the time comes.
A small modular hub, he said, would remain on EMCID property after the shell is moved to the site of the proposed 550-acre mixed-use project at Roman Forest Boulevard and U.S. Highway 59.

EMCID President and CEO Frank McCrady didn’t rule out Gardner’s proposal, asking him to refine his business plan and come back before the board in July.
“Absolutely we’re very interested in making this happen,”McCrady said. “It would give (EarthQuest Institute) a showcase, kind of a stage. I think having (the museum) on our property is one of the ways we can help.”

Gardner said he was not disappointed, but determined to press on in his quest to raise funding to build the nonprofit institute, which develops and presents state-of-the art exhibits, programs and information on energy, the environment and sustainable living.

“My goal is to find the resources to make this happen,” he said.
Last month, the EarthQuest Adventures developer told EMCID board members the mixed-use project must be re-packaged and built in phases in order to secure investors.
The first phase of the redesign - the dinosaur theme park and museum - will cost approximately $307 million to build
__________________________________________________ __________________
I believe that Earthquest Institue is the only part of the project that can and should be saved. John Marlin, Trey White and all their phony LLCs , LPs and nonsense should be sent packing. Dr. Matthew Gardner and "Dino Don" Lessem should get their museum.

Fake multi-billionaire Trey White and his sidekick John Marlin should never have been allowed to go this far with taxpayers money. I firmly believe they are the reason the project is in the sad state is obviously in. Still no website. Still no loan extensions on file. Where have the millions of dollars thrown at this project gone???

Soapboxmom

What a mess. www.earthquestadventures.com being down means hundreds of official sites, Facebook pages, news articles, blogs and posts have lost the pictures and images posted and have broken links. There is no excuse for the hosting fees of a few dollars a month not being paid. The website could easily be moved to an alternative service provider with almost no interruption. We are talking only a few minutes of down time. This is beyond inexcusable.

Marlin Atlantis / Global Earthquest ventures, Trey White and John Marlin need to be sent packing.

Soapboxmom

Originally Posted by Soapboxmom

Marlin Atlantis / Global Earthquest ventures, Trey White and John Marlin need to be sent packing.

Soapboxmom

Sounds like they're doing a good job of arranging that all on their lonesome.

There are folks out there desperate to bury my informative posts in garbage. Some goober here made a handful of posts using my name. That could be a felony in Texas. Don't steal my name or persona unless you want to risk prosecution, goober!

Now, the question is why anyone would want to waste their time burying truthful information and harassing me. Is it a member of my fan club from www.heatherdobrott.com? No one seems to have the spheres to post there anymore. Just why is that? Felony criminal charges are a bit frightening???

And, in other old news, I can't find any loan extensions or modifications for the properties near Houston. The www.earthquestadventures.com website is still down. Would someone please call Marlin Atlantis and ask them what in the hell is going on.

Soapboxmom

EMCID discusses progress of theme park

By JENNIFER SUMMER
Updated: 09.02.09
With the plans for EarthQuest Adventures theme park and the museum still in place, the board members of the East Montgomery County Improvement District recently met with the EarthQuest Institute to listen to their changes.

The board members called a special meeting Aug. 24 to discuss these changes and take possible action.

“We met with the developer last week and this week. They are asking us to make a few more changes that will allow for their financial presentation to investors and debt providers to be more marketable,” Frank McCrady, president of EMCID, said.

EMCID issued bonds on the project and has met with developers each month to see what they are spending each month based on the bonds.

The funds have been allocated to the project, the pre-development costs, expenses and getting closer to breaking ground.

The way the bond is currently structured, EMCID receives half of the bond proceeds back from the developer at the close of construction and the balance is paid out at a point in the future.

“The developer is asking for us to defer that and we assume the bond payments, using revenue generated in the district, which will help them to be one step closer to being financed,” McCrady explained.

The second request is in relation to the provision built in where the developer would repay the New Caney Fire Department and Emergency Services District 7.

EMCID allocated $300,000 for ESD 7 which has helped accomplish the things the district needed to do, and in the initial agreement the developer would repay EMCID those costs.

“The developer is asking to not have to reimburse us on the front-end. These are the two substantial changes the developer is asking for us to consider,” McCrady said.

Also, there were fees allocated to the site consultant which EMCID is being asked to incur.

At the beginning of the deal, the EMCID board loaned Marlin-Atlantis the $7 million for pre-development costs of the construction. The expenses include fees for accounting, engineering, design and master planning.

“In our meeting this week, we decided we will allocate a half-cent tax of our current one-cent tax over a period of time to repay the site location costs. In doing this, this would give Marlin the ability to recoup costs and this would be paid at closing by Marlin,” McCrady said.

The group discussed what would happen if the developers reneged on the project and whether or not they would have any protection.

At this point in the plan, EMCID does not have any hold on EarthQuest Institute so if they decide not to build, they will be out some funds.

“Worst-case scenario, let’s just say that the theme park does not happen at all and they build a retail center and homes. With that, the half-cent tax and zone tax will come back to EMCID until we are paid in full, which is about $7 million,” McCrady said. “If the plans for EarthQuest do fall through, in the long run, we will get our money back.”

The group agreed that it was important to help the process for EarthQuest Adventures move forward financially which will provide more revenue and job opportunities for the community.

EarthQuest Adventures, more commonly referred to as the “dinosaur park,” features a for-profit section with theme park rides, concessions and other fun things to do and a nonprofit section which will feature the museum. The project also includes space for future retail expansion and office space.

EMCID has proposed a $1 increase on the parking tax to help with revenues.

“We are quite confident this project will be a go and we most likely will be back at the table with changes they want to make,” McCrady said. “We have to take a risk and with this project, we will have a large return.”

In other business, the EMCID board discussed the possible district-wide election to increase the sales tax which includes discussion of grant agreements with ESDs 7 and 11.

EMCID recently worked out its agreement with ESD 6 which covers Porter but still needs to work out the proposals for the Splendora and New Caney fire departments.

“What Porter Fire Department has proposed to us is that the amount of funding we have allocated to them on an annual basis, they would reduce that amount by $50,000 and they would give that amount to Splendora if we would match it,” McCrady said.

Thus, Splendora Fire Department would have $100,000 a year to operate with.

In the current agreement, EMCID gives the New Caney Fire Department $300,000 to help them meet their emergency needs. The department is requesting that EMCID extend this agreement for two more years to carry them through 2014.

“The reason for this is with EarthQuest in 2010, it will be a period of time before some of the revenue is going back to the fire department,” McCrady explained. “They will have to construct more facilities near where the park is and hire more people to accommodate the changes.”

The other changes the New Caney FD is requesting is that it not have to repay EMCID for the amount it allocated for Porter Fire Department and an additional amount of income to fund two fire stations to aid EarthQuest. With these two provisions, the elections will be held at the fire departments.

“The main point is and part of the reason we are having this election is that the improvement district does not hold the election; it allows the additional half-cent tax to be on the table,” McCrady said.

“The ESDs could have their own elections and be successful in the additional half-cent so if Houston were to ever come out and annex, they could take that half-cent tax by bringing the fire departments into the city. With the money coming to EMCID and entered into an agreement, we have protected that money from the city of Houston and it stays in our community.”
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I just dug up that article from Septemeber 2009. As far as I am concerned Frank McCrady was very dishonest with me. Marlin Atlantis has misled the tax payers, milked us for millions of dollars and reneged on their promises. I don't believe for a second we are a mere 9 months from groundbreaking. Anyone who has been following this dino disaster has seen deadline after deadline pass.

Marlin Atlantis and its clown patrol can't even manage to scrape together the pocket change needed to pay the hosting fees for the www.earthquestadventures.com website. As of yet no confirmation on the loans being renewed. It is time for some drastic action!

Soapboxmom

The website is finally back up. Someone dug up the pocket change to pay the hosting fees. I don't think it has changed one iota. This BS is still posted:

General Partner and Developer
–Marlin Atlantis
of Dallas, Texas is one of the state’s leading residential and commercial
property developers, with a particular emphasis upon maintaining natural
habitats in its projects.

Since when was Marlin Atlantis a leading commercial developer and why the bull about maintaining natural habitats. That isn't quite the story I have heard.

I can't believe the EMCID gave Frank McCrady a $50,000.00 bonus with Marlin Atlantis tangled up in this project. What a mess!!!

Soapboxmom

We have a loan extension on the Dino Park property signed by fake multi-billionaire Roscoe F. / Trey White for a whopping 3 months. That isn't long!

Dino Park Loan Extension.pdf

Soapboxmom

Write something...
Earth Quest Adventures Houston
An update on the current state of the park from the official EarthQuest facebook page: "The Park is still moving forward now that the financial markets have begun to flow our investment banking team is seeing great interest on the financing for the project. The average theme park project takes between 8-14 years from concept to opening, so we are ahead of the curve." and "It makes no sense to throw out ground breaking dates until the phase one financing is definitively secured"

11 hours ago · Like ·

• 14 people like this.
• 
  
  • Earth Quest Adventures Houston EarthQuest gave this response to an inquirer looking for a groundbreaking date.11 hours ago · Like
  • Noe Bocanegra Well the point is. Is it goin to happen that's what we all want to know? 11 hours ago · Like · 2 people
  • Earth Quest Adventures Houston The project is making progress. As long as it continues to make progress, it will happen.11 hours ago · Like
  • Noe Bocanegra Well I hope so if not dallas will take it away from houston lol11 hours ago · Like · 1 person
  • Mike Robinson I am glad their is still interest but there have been several ground breaking dates announced. The last one was June 23'rd that said "Groundbreaking: Early 2012" Now their is no date. I understand this is a HUGE project and financing is tricky (especially tricky these days) but is everything really moving forward? Based on your own comments things seem to have stalled or even moved back. I am very excited by this park but has everything up until now been overly optimistic?4 hours ago · Like
  • __________________________________________________ ___________________
  • So, in reality there has been nothing but backsliding. Even the rephased project with a mere 300 million price tag for the first phase hasn't secured financing yet. The first phase doesn't include the hotels / resorts. Where are the visitors supposed to stay if the park and museum ever do get built? Will investors be able to get past the fact liar Trey White is behind this fiasco? Isn't the fact Trey White passed himself off as a multi-billionaire harming the project? If he was so incredibly wealthy then why isn't he funding the initial project himself? If he isn't willing to pony up any real money aren't the investors going to think it is a deal they should pass up too?
  
  

Soapboxmom

Marlin Atlantis has been dead in the water since day 1. Of the 3 Master Planned Communities only the one in Houston has any construction happening.






To learn more about where Esperanza has been and where we are going, click on the links below to download copies of our e-newsletter.
October 2008 e-newsletter click here
February 2008 e-newsletter click here
January 2008 e-newsletter click here
November 2007 e-newsletter click here
August 2007 e-newsletter click here
__________________________________________________ _________________
Trinity Falls will be a premier master-planned community nestled on the banks of the East Fork of the Trinity River just north of McKinney. Unique to a new premier development of this size, is the fact that it features the Trinity River as one of its borders. The majority of the property's breathtaking terrain and expanses of mature trees and green spaces will be preserved, so that the residences will have incredible views of nature's best. This picturesque community will have an extensive park and trails system. Featuring a variety of product types and sizes, including an active adult community, Trinity Falls promises to be a spectacular neighborhood.
__________________________________________________ _________________
The one Offering listed:
offerings
Situated in an up-and-coming submarket in the Houston area, Magnolia is a beautiful wooded property with large lakes, natural rolling hills and a winding creek.

(click image for larger view)

LOCATION: Property is located on the northeast line of FM 1774 less than two miles northwest of the town of Magnolia, TX.
SIZE: Approximately 589+/- acres to be developed into 1,200 home sites
CONTACT: Jim Baker, President
Tel: +1 (972) 715-6400
jimbaker@marlinatlantis.com

• 86 acres of open recreational space
• 58.2 acres of detention amenities
• 2.8 acres of community recreational center
• 3.5 acres of neighborhood commercial
• A beautiful European-style traffic circle with a center statement
• Potential reimbursements to include all water, sanitary, drainage, roads, and partial park & amenities from the legislatively created MUD, Montgomery County MUD #116
• Located in new emerging upscale Montgomery County
• 45 minutes from George Bush Intercontinental Airport
• FM 1774 slated to be widened to four lanes in 2009

__________________________________________________ _________
http://www.crossoakranch.com
__________________________________________________ __________________
Lasiter Ranch has no page with homes for sale.
__________________________________________________ ______
Plantation has no page with homes for sale.
__________________________________________________ _________
Rivers Edge has no page with homes for sale.
__________________________________________________ __________
Whitestone in Houston near the proposed Dino Park is still just talk.
__________________________________________________ ______________

It has been almost 3 years and no activity in Boerne, TX. The McKinney community is just all talk. Magnolia is also in the glowing promises stage. So, exactly what has Marlin Atlantis developed that would show us they are capable of putting together the amusement and educational park we have heard talk of since 2005?? It is high time we get more information about where those millions in tax payer funds went and some real answers about the funding of this fiasco!

Soapboxmom

Originally Posted by Soapboxmom

We have a loan extension on the Dino Park property signed by fake multi-billionaire Roscoe F. / Trey White for a whopping 3 months. That isn't long!

Dino Park Loan Extension.pdf

Soapboxmom

The loans were due and payable on September 14th. What is the scoop? Did Marlin Atlantis / Maw Magnolia / Roscoe White pay off the loans, get an extension or default? Why are we not getting any updates on this project??? I think the taxpayers have been dino duped!!!

Soapboxmom

Improvement district bolsters East Montgomery County - Your Houston News: News

“(But) everyone wants to talk about EarthQuest,” McCrady conceded.

EarthQuest is a $550 million amusement park which is scheduled to break ground in six to nine months, he said. The design of the park is essentially in four areas, all on adjacent sides of a central mountain.

“There is a huge demand for commercial development,” McCrady said.

Phase I of the development has a projected initial investment of $550 million, the bulk of which is the $389 million theme park. A resort 250-room hotel is projected to cost $77.9 million. Other areas in the design include Cretaceous Cove ($32.1 million developmental budget), Green Gadget Garage ($17 million), Earth Walk ($26.9 million), an eco-tourism area ($6.9 million) and a museum $20 million.

“Our focus is to bring in amenities to improve the quality of life,” McCrady said of the East Montgomery County Improvement District. For more information on the district, visit www.emctx.com.

We are still being strung along. The loans were renewed for a year through September 14,2012. The construction costs have been quoted higher, but I still am not convinced that the theme park can be built for anything near even the 389 million dollar figure.

When are we taxpayers going to get a real update and some honest disclosure? Is the financing finally secured? Why is ground breaking put off yet another 6-9 months?

Soapboxmom

• 
  
  • 
    
    
    Chuck Peterson These are truly exciting times!April 16, 2010 at 11:33pm
    
    Some of my best friends chillin with Billionaire Trey White!
    
    April 16, 2010
  
  

If Trey White is so wealthy and successful, why is Earthquest still not off of the ground? Big surprise, but this clown (one of Jack Weinzierl's downline I suspect has bailed from Evolv and those exciting times) 6 years later and there is no firm groundbreaking date and apparently they can't even raise funding for a scaled down park. When, Trey, When?????

Soapboxmom

Fake multi-billionaire Trey White and John Marlin bankrupted the EarthQuest project. The scum are out!!!!

EarthQuest dino-park lands in bankruptcy
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Cynthia Calvert
Whitestone Houston Land Ltd. (“Whitestone”), an entity that owns approximately 1,564 acres near New Caney, a portion of which includes the planned EarthQuest theme park and museum, has filed for bankruptcy.

The EarthQuest theme park and museum has been promoted for years as a soon-to-come entertainment center with retail shopping, a water park, hotels, an eco-tourism area, and a residential development, along with a dinosaur area. The project grew from $50 to $500 million+ with numerous delays in breaking ground. To date, no construction has occurred.

According to trollerbk.com, Whitestone filed a Chapter 11 petition (re-organization) for bankruptcy protection more than five months ago on August 1, 2011. The filing was made at the United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Texas (Sherman). The bankruptcy petition number is 11- 42400.

According to Schedule B of the petition, Whitestone has $0.00 in its business checking account. Schedule D shows a total indebtedness to secured creditors of $20,167,465.94.

Schedule F of the petition indicates that Whitestone owes another $808,179.28 to various unsecured creditors. Notably, those unpaid amounts include $123,845.13 to local taxing agencies for unpaid property taxes for the 2008 to 2010 tax years. The status of payment for the property taxes due January 31, 2012, for the 2011 tax year is unknown.

Also included in Schedule F is an unsecured $225,000 note payable to the East Montgomery County Improvement District (“EMCID”). However, more significant amounts have been funded by EMCID to Whitestone in the form of expense reimbursements.

Whitestone is a limited partnership whose general partner is Whitestone Houston Holdings LLC. The manager of the general partner is John D. Marlin. Marlin is also manager of EQ Ventures GP LLC, the general partner of Global Earthquest Ventures LP (“Global”). Global is one of the parties to the contracts executed with EMCID.

According to EarthQuest Institute, Marlin is also a director of the EarthQuest Institute (“Institute”), a nonprofit organization established to apparently manage the EarthQuest Museum and Institute. Marlin is shown on their website as a director of the Institute. The Institute is another of the parties to the contracts executed with EMCID.

According to Eco-Resort, Hotel, Conference Center and Theme Park | Earth Quest Resort, Marlin’s real estate and development company, Marlin-Atlantis, of which he is the chief executive officer, is the general partner and developer of the planned project through an entity called EarthQuest Resort. This company does not appear to be a party to the contracts executed with EMCID. Marlin-Atlantis is based in Dallas.

Marlin did not respond to a request for comment.

Frank McCrady, President and CEO of EMCID, stands behind the development. “We have a new developer who is working with the bank to take over the property and the project.

“It is not a matter of if, but when [it will be built],” he said.

According to a website at Whitestone: A Premier Master Planned Community, Whitestone originally acquired the New Caney land for a residential development to be called Whitestone. As described in a special warranty deed dated June 14, 2004, the same being recorded in the public records of Montgomery County under Clerk’s File Number 2004-06651 and film code number 608-10-2194, the property was purchased from HS Tejas Ltd. The purchase price of the land, as stated in the first paragraph of the deed, was in the amount of $4,150,000 plus “$10 and other good and valuable consideration.”

Over time, the idea of a dinosaur-themed park and resort was developed through the principals and affiliates of Whitestone. This new concept was then planned on about 500 acres of the land that was originally intended for residential development. Due to the projected economic impact on the surrounding region, discussions were initiated with the EMCID.

Those discussions ultimately resulted in a series of complex agreements between Global, EMCID and the Earthquest Institute. Briefly stated, for the perceived future benefits of having a major theme park and other related developments, EMCID agreed to sell millions of dollars in bonds in order to provide funds to Whitestone for “pre-development” and “pre-construction” expenses.

Pursuant to a Houston Chronicle-This Week article dated August 26, 2009, the aggregate funds [then] paid by EMCID to Whitestone for the foregoing expenses totaled $7,800,000. The same article referenced a second request by Marlin for EMCID to provide another $2,800,000 to Global to pay for a “site locater fee,” the recipient of which was unnamed in the article.

McCrady said that EMCID subsequently did not advance the additional funds to pay the site locater fee.

“We do not want people alarmed and think that the project will not be built. We have Contour Entertainment from Los Angeles. They are going to take over,” he said.

McCrady said he was aware Whitestone had filed for bankruptcy some months ago.

“They have a restructuring plan – a hearing on this will be held Jan. 23 in Dallas,” he said.

The property is currently in bankruptcy but McCrady says Contour is currently working with the bank and hopes to purchase the property eventually.

“Contour is an entertainment company with experience developing theme parks all over the world. Our board thinks that is very good,” McCrady said. Contour, McCrady said, was a subcontractor of Whitestone's and performed all the design work on the EarthQuest project, he said. “Chris Brown, CEO of Contour, has been prepared to step in from the inception,” McCrady said. Owning the site would be a first for the Los Angeles-based design firm.

According to Contour Entertainment's website, Contour Entertainment,

the company performs many functions related to theme park management but they do not own theme parks. Contour's website states that they perform concept development and show design, project management, operational planning, market research and architectural design. EarthQuest is already listed as one of the six projects Contour is working on.

The site states that, “Contour Entertainment is the Resort Masterplanner and lead designer for all aspects of this $530 million, 500-acre (Phase 1) entertainment resort as well as providing the initial design for the conceptual direction and facility design for the $20 million, 40,000-sqare foot, not-for-profit EarthQuest Institute.”

It appears that the general plan of repayment to the EMCID was to receive about one-half of the proceeds at the beginning of construction of the theme park, with the second half being repaid after construction of the park was completed. However, there have been numerous changes and amendments to the original contracts and the current status of the repayment terms is uncertain. The filing of the bankruptcy petition has created concerns about any projected construction date and whether or not the bankruptcy filing has jeopardized the repayment of the monies funded by EMCID to Global.

“Whitestone was just a landholding company,” McCrady said. “The bond paid for predevelopment expenses, engineers, drainage, things like that all related to EarthQuest.”

McCrady said that repayments are certain, based on future sales tax recapture as well as future taxes attached to the development zone and future hotel taxes.

“We would not have issued bonds if there was any chance of the funds not being recovered,” he said.

The contracts further provide that, should the project not be constructed, then EMCID would have the right to purchase certain properties owned by the Institute. That purchase option is for the 50 acres upon which the Dino Institute and Museum would be built. The option price for that tract is $1,250,000. This amount would be in addition to the original $7,800,000 already known to be approved by the bond to Global.

McCrady said that EMCID and the bond has put up about $9 million. He said “you can add another million to the bond money” for expenses to date.

Marlin Atlantis also received approval from taxing authorities for property tax abatements to enhance the profitability of the project via Montgomery County Commissioners Court and from the passage of House Bill 4015. At the same time, the contracts between Global and EMCID would have set in motion a set of new taxes and user fees in connection with the development and operation of the theme park and museum, including Improvement Zone sales taxes and hotel occupancy taxes, along with event admission taxes and parking fees and taxes.

In fact, McCrady said,”Without a doubt, this will happen. If Contour fails, others are willing to step up. We are not putting all our faith in one developer. That is not the way we do business. We have backup plans A, B, C and D.”

“From our perspective, the board thinks the future sales tax will pay back the money. The property is well suited to retail development.

“Contour is hoping to pick up the project after the bankruptcy is complete,” McCrady said. “Houston is poised for theme park projects. We have three different economic reports that say that.”

List of creditors and amounts owed listed in the bankruptcy filing:

Creditors holding secured claims, according to Schedule D:

J.R. Moore, Jr. Tax Assessor, $15,970.81; County of Montgomery Tax Office, $61,943.94; Hillcrest Bank, $20,043,611.21; J. R. Moore, Jr. Tax Assessor, $45,939.98.

Creditors Holding Unsecured Claims, according to Schedule F:

Anco-McDonald Waterworks, $5,385; Bracewell & Guiliani LLP, $952.50; Cindy A Schmidt, $2,521.57; Coasts, Rose, Yale Ryman & Lee, $3858.83; East Montgomery County Improvement District, $225,000; Hayne and Associates PC, $155; Hesse & Hesse LLP, $225; Ryan & Company PC, $1025; Sammons Realty Corp., $275,683.88; Texas Commission-Environmental Quality, $2,565.38; Thompson & Knight LLP, $11,978.74, and WMA Whitestone Land LP, $278,828.38.

Why in the hell did we give that bonehead McCray a $50,000.00 bonus on top of his alr4eady ridiculous $97,000.00 salary? Why were the taxpayers not notified immediately about this shocking development? It is totally dishonest to hide what is going on as the taxpayers and business people who had invested in projects in the area are getting screwed! I watch PACER, but I had not caught this or I would have exposed this bankruptcy and the accompanying shenanigans immediately! I want McCardy booted!!!!

Soapboxmom

Management Team

Creator and Limited Partner – Don Lessem

is a world-renowned educator and popularizer of natural history, consultant to Steven Spielberg, Disney and Universal films and theme parks, creator of international museum exhibitions, originator of the world’s largest paleontological charities, builder of the largest dinosaur recreations and author of more than 50 books for adults and children.
General Partner and Developer –Marlin Atlantis

of Dallas, Texas is one of the state’s leading residential and commercial property developers, with a particular emphasis upon maintaining natural habitats in its projects.

Project Designers – Contour Entertainment, Inc.

Los Angeles-based creative design, construction and park management organization of former Disney Imagineers with extensive experience as designers, builders and managers of themed entertainment attractions from Dubai to Southeast Asia and Europe as well as many North American locations.

Entity Information:	GLOBAL EARTHQUEST VENTURES, LP 13455 NOEL ROAD, GALLERIA TOWER II, 23RD DALLAS, TX 75240-
Status:	IN GOOD STANDING NOT FOR DISSOLUTION OR WITHDRAWAL through May 15, 2012
Registered Agent:	JOHN D MARLIN 13455 NOEL ROAD, GALLERIA TOWER II, 23RD FLOOR DALLAS, TX 75240
Registered Agent Resignation Date:
State of Formation:	TX
File Number:	0800931732
SOS Registration Date:	January 31, 2008
Taxpayer Number:	32034922834

Entity Information:	GLOBAL EARTHQUEST IP HOLDINGS, LLC GALLERIA TOWER II, 23RD FL. 13455 NOEL R DALLAS, TX 75240-
Status:	IN GOOD STANDING NOT FOR DISSOLUTION OR WITHDRAWAL through May 15, 2012
Registered Agent:	JOHN MARLIN GALLERIA TOWER II, 23RD FL. 13455 NOEL RD. DALLAS, TX 75240
Registered Agent Resignation Date:
State of Formation:	TX
File Number:	0801033968
SOS Registration Date:	September 26, 2008
Taxpayer Number:	32038039270

MEMBER	DON LESSEM 1640 NORTH RIDLEY CREEK RD. MEDIA , PA 19063
MEMBER	ENTERTAINMENT VENTURES, LLC GALLERIA TOWER II, 23RD FL. 13455 NOEL RD. DALLAS , TX 75240

	ENTERTAINMENT VENTURES, LLC 13455 NOEL ROAD GALLERIA TOWER II 23RD F DALLAS, TX 75240-0000
Status:	NO STANDING, FRANCHISE RESPONSIBILITY ENDED
Registered Agent:	JOHN D MARLIN 13455 NOEL ROAD, GALLERIA TOWER II, 23RD FLOOR DALLAS, TX 75240
Registered Agent Resignation Date:
State of Formation:	TX
File Number:	0800924549
SOS Registration Date:	January 16, 2008
Taxpayer Number:	32034509748

GOVERNING	JAMES R BAKER 13455 NOEL ROAD, SUITE 2300 DALLAS , TX 75240
GOVERNING	JOHN D MARLIN 13455 NOEL ROAD, SUITE 2300 DALLAS , TX 75240
MANAGER	ROSCOE F WHITE III 13455 NOEL ROAD, SUITE 2300 DALLAS , TX 75240
GOVERNING	ROSCOE F WHITE III 13455 NOEL ROAD, SUITE 2300 DALLAS , TX 75240

Entity Information:	WHITESTONE HOUSTON HOLDINGS, LLC GALLERIA TOWER TWO 13455 NOEL RD., 23RD DALLAS, TX 75240-
Status:	IN GOOD STANDING NOT FOR DISSOLUTION OR WITHDRAWAL through May 15, 2012
Registered Agent:	JOHN D MARLIN GALLERIA TOWER TWO 13455 NOEL RD., 23RD FLOOR DALLAS, TX 75240
Registered Agent Resignation Date:
State of Formation:	TX
File Number:	0800350560
SOS Registration Date:	June 7, 2004
Taxpayer Number:	16805872625

MANAGER DEBORAH A THOMAS
13455 NOEL ROAD, SUITE 2300
DALLAS , TX 75240

Entity Information:	WHITESTONE HOUSTON LAND, LTD. GALLERIA TOWER TWO, 13455 NOEL RD., 23RD DALLAS, TX 75240-0000
Status:	IN GOOD STANDING NOT FOR DISSOLUTION OR WITHDRAWAL through May 15, 2012
Registered Agent:	JOHN D MARLIN GALLERIA TOWER TWO, 13455 NOEL RD., 23RD FLOOR DALLAS, TX 75240
Registered Agent Resignation Date:
State of Formation:	TX
File Number:	0800350568
SOS Registration Date:	June 7, 2004
Taxpayer Number:	32035591695

Entity Information:	THE INSTITUTE EARTHQUEST 1722 ROUTH ST STE 1500 DALLAS, TX 75201-2532
Status:	IN GOOD STANDING - EXEMPT ENTITY
Registered Agent:	DAVID M ROSENBERG 1722 ROUTH STREET, SUITE 1500 DALLAS, TX 75201
Registered Agent Resignation Date:
State of Formation:	TX
File Number:	0800941922
SOS Registration Date:	February 22, 2008
Taxpayer Number:	32034780331

DIRECTOR	DONALD LESSEM 1640 RIDLEY CREEK RD. MEDIA , PA
DIRECTOR	JOHN MARLIN 13445 NOEL ROAD, 23RD FLOOR DALLAS , TX 75240
DIRECTOR	LEON CUBILLAS P.O. BOX 1019 NEW CANEY , TX 77357

Entity Information:	EQ VENTURES GP, LLC 13455 NOEL ROAD GALLERIA TOWER II 23RD F DALLAS, TX 75240-0000
Status:	NO STANDING, FRANCHISE RESPONSIBILITY ENDED
Registered Agent:	JOHN D MARLIN 13455 NOEL ROAD, GALLERIA TOWER II, 23RD FLOOR DALLAS, TX 75240
Registered Agent Resignation Date:
State of Formation:	TX
File Number:	0800924544
SOS Registration Date:	January 16, 2008
Taxpayer Number:	32034509789

GOVERNING	JAMES R BAKER 13455 NOEL ROAD, SUITE 2300 DALLAS , TX 75240
GOVERNING	JOHN D MARLIN 13455 NOEL ROAD, SUITE 2300 DALLAS , TX 75240
MANAGER	ROSCOE F WHITE III 13455 NOEL ROAD, SUITE 2300 DALLAS , TX 75240
GOVERNING	ROSCOE F WHITE III 13455 NOEL ROAD, SUITE 2300 DALLAS , TX 75240

More of the entities tangled up in this fiasco:

Team


The EarthQuest Institute brings together some of the best and brightest minds from across the globe.
They share a deep devotion to science, education and the discovery of global solutions for a sustainable future.
Management Team

Our Management Team is comprised of accomplished executives from a variety of disciplines. They provide expertise in private and public fundraising, financial management, non-profit leadership and the sciences.

Don Holbrook, President and CEO
Dr. Matthew Gardner, Chief Science Officer
Executive Board

Our Executive Board represents the major creative and philanthropic developers of the EarthQuest concept, with respective backgrounds in science, communication, public education and community development.
Leon Cubillas, Chairman
Don Lessem, Founder and Director
John Marlin, Director

Entity Information:	MARLIN ATLANTIS WHITE, LTD. GALLERIA TOWER TWO, 13455 NOEL ROAD, 23R DALLAS, TX 75240-0000
Status:	IN GOOD STANDING NOT FOR DISSOLUTION OR WITHDRAWAL through May 15, 2012
Registered Agent:	JOHN D. MARLIN GALLERIA TOWER TWO, 13455 NOEL ROAD, 23RD FLOOR DALLAS, TX 75240
Registered Agent Resignation Date:
State of Formation:	TX
File Number:	0800312274
SOS Registration Date:	March 4, 2004
Taxpayer Number:	32035637753

Entity Information:	MARLIN ATLANTIS, LTD. 16301 QUORUM DR STE 200B ADDISON, TX 75001-6871
Status:	IN GOOD STANDING NOT FOR DISSOLUTION OR WITHDRAWAL through May 15, 2012
Registered Agent:	MARLIN ATLANTIS HOLDINGS, LLC 5880 SHADY OAKS DR. FRISCO, TX 75034
Registered Agent Resignation Date:
State of Formation:	TX
File Number:	0800263757
SOS Registration Date:	October 30, 2003
Taxpayer Number:	32035701682

Entity Information:	MARLIN ATLANTIS HOLDINGS, LLC 16301 QUORUM DR STE 200B ADDISON, TX 75001-6871
Status:	IN GOOD STANDING NOT FOR DISSOLUTION OR WITHDRAWAL through May 15, 2012
Registered Agent:	WYATT HENDERSON 11519 ROSSER RD. DALLAS, TX 75229
Registered Agent Resignation Date:
State of Formation:	TX
File Number:	0800263596
SOS Registration Date:	October 30, 2003
Taxpayer Number:	32012656917

MANAGER	ARTHUR ALLEN JONES 16301 QUORUM DRIVE, SUITE 200B ,
MANAGER	JOHN D MARLIN 13455 NOEL ROAD SUITE 2300 DALLAS , TX 75240
MANAGER	WYATT HENDERSON 16301 QUORUM DRIVE, SUITE 200B ADDISON , TX 75001

Entity Information:	MAW MAGNOLIA HOLDINGS, LLC 13455 NOEL RD FL 23 DALLAS, TX 75240-6620
Status:	IN GOOD STANDING NOT FOR DISSOLUTION OR WITHDRAWAL through May 15, 2012
Registered Agent:	JOHN D MARLIN 13455 NOEL ROAD 23RD FLOOR DALLAS, TX 75240
Registered Agent Resignation Date:
State of Formation:	TX
File Number:	0800570581
SOS Registration Date:	November 14, 2005
Taxpayer Number:	32018564396

MANAGER	DEBORAH A THOMAS 13455 NOEL ROAD SUITE 2300 DALLAS , TX 75240
MANAGER	WV HOLDINGS LLC 13455 NOEL ROAD SUITE 2300 DALLAS , TX 75240

Entity Information:	WV HOLDINGS, LLC GALLERIA TOWER II 13455 NOEL ROAD, 23RD DALLAS, TX 75240-
Status:	IN GOOD STANDING NOT FOR DISSOLUTION OR WITHDRAWAL through May 15, 2012
Registered Agent:	DEBORAH A THOMAS GALLERIA TOWER II 13455 NOEL ROAD, 23RD FLOOR DALLAS, TX 75240
Registered Agent Resignation Date:
State of Formation:	TX
File Number:	0800324811
SOS Registration Date:	April 2, 2004
Taxpayer Number:	12009713707

MANAGER ROSCOE F WHITE III
13455 NOEL ROAD, SUITE 2300
DALLAS , TX 75240

Though the LLC holding the land is in bankruptcy, the other LLCs that signed the contracts for this adventure park still exist. There are contracts with the East Montgomery County Improvement District and possibly between the parties of the various LLCs themselves. That means scammer Roscoe / Trey White and John Marlin are still tangled up in this project to some degree. The others involved need to demand they sign off and let go of any interest in this deal or alternatively Trey White and John Marlin need to be sued, hauled into court and extricated by order of a judge so this project can be taken over by honest and experienced business people that can make it happen! This is extremely complicated and it could tie this project up in court for years to come. The taxpayers and folks that invested into this project and things in the surrounding area are getting royally screwed!

Soapboxmom

INSTITUTE EARTHQUEST
Physical Address: 21575 Us Highway 59 North
% Dan N Matheson
New Caney, TX 77357 EIN: 26-2454184
Telephone: 512-240-5353
NTEE Category: C Environmental Quality Protection, Beautification C60 (Environmental Education and Outdoor Survival Programs) Year Founded: 2009 Ruling Year: 2009

Mission Statement

To preserve the planet and its resources

EarthQuest Insitute 2008 IRS .pdf

EarthQuest Insitute 2008.pdf

EarthQuest Institute 2009.pdf

Follow that money folks! Why is Deborah Thomas, Marlin Atlantis' flunky, being paid so much?

Soapboxmom

Here is the crew behind this Dino Disaster. Note that Cabillas is tangled up in the EarthQuest Institute:
Meet the Board

The East Montgomery County Improvement District is staffed by President/CEO, Frank McCrady, Office Administrator, Suzanne Parmer, and Secretary, Sandy Seelye. The East Montgomery County Improvement District is located at 21575 U.S. Hwy 59 North, Suite 200 , New Caney, Texas 77357. The office telephone number is (281) 354-4419 and the fax number is (281) 354-4529. The Board governing the East Montgomery County Improvement District is comprised of eight elected officials.The 2010-2011 members of the Board of Directors are as follows: Leon Cubillas, Chairman; Vickie Thumann, Vice Chairman; Linda W. Floyd, Assistant Vice Chairman/Treasurer; Sue Warren, Secretary; Connie Bloodworth, Assistant Secretary; Isidor Ybarra, Director; Leonard Rogers, Director; and Fred Wetz, Director.

Our Board of Directors:
Leon Cubillas, Chairman	Vickie Thumann, Vice Chairman	Linda W. Floyd , Assistant Vice Chairman/Treasurer
Sue Warren, Director	Connie Bloodworth, Secretary	Isidor Ybarra, Director
Leonard Rogers, Director

Fred Wetz, Director
Our Staff
Frank McCrady President/CEO	Suzanne Parmer, Office Administrator	Sandy Seelye, Secretary