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Paramount's Great America is an Amusement Park owned and operated by the CBS Corporation located in the San Jose suburb Santa Clara, California . Great America is one of two major amusement parks that operate in the San Francisco Bay Area , the other being Six Flags Marine World in Vallejo, California . HISTORY Marriott's Great America, built by Marriott , a hotel operator, was opened in 1976 along with a Sister Park located in the Chicago area bearing the same name. The park although profitable was still an earnings disappointment for Marriott, leading the company in 1983 to agree to sell the park to Caz Development Co, which valued the prized land appraised at $800,000 to $1 million per acre. But Marriott also gave a first option to the park to the city of Santa Clara, which was already partially involved in the park, leasing 55 acres for parking space for $75,000 per year. The city council, fearing development of the land would aggravate congested roads, in January 31 , 1984 approved a $101 million deal by a 4-3 count on the condition that the electorate authorize the agreement. City voters approved the sale by a margin of 3 to 1. Caz Development sued the city and Marriott in Santa Clara County Superior Court to block the transaction. The court nullified the sale, forcing the city to attempt to salvage their deal through negotiations with both other parties. Unable to broker a timely agreement, the city council voted 6-1 to scuttle the sale on February 5 , 1985 , although the city was still interested in owning the park. After Marriott refunded a $20 million Down Payment to the city, negotiations were started afresh. Finally all parties worked out a compromise, which was signed in marathon sessions taking place over June 4 - 5 , 1985. The city for $93.5 million acquired the park and inventory from Marriott, which retained 20 acres for development. Caz Development settled its lawsuit and in exchange the city allowed the developer land near the park to build a hotel and an office. Kings Entertainment Co., an operator of other parks, was hired to manage the park for the city. As planned, the city ended its ownership and sold the park structures to Kings in 1989 for $22 million but not the land, which would be leased for $5.3 million a year. In addition, the city earned 5 percent of revenue over $56 million. Three years later Paramount Communications, best known for Paramount Pictures , sought to join other entertainment companies as a park owner. The company acquired Kings Entertainment, owner of three parks including Great America, and two other parks for $400 million. RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS The park's rides and attractions include the following:
RIDE/ATTRACTION TIMELINE
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