officials denied the application for a quarry permit. In 1969, another attempt was made by Contee Sand & Gravel to obtain a permit to operate a stone quarry on the property. This application also met with stiff opposition, including again from Gould. After lengthy hearings, county officials denied the request in April 1970. In August 1971, Contee sold its 349-acre tract to HRD for $2.4 million. Thereafter, HRD agreed to sell the Huntington property to The Marriott Corporation. The sale was contingent on Marriott obtaining approval to build a theme park on the land. In January 1972, Marriott announced its plans for the massive theme park. It was to be called "Marriott's Great America" and was to include four separate entertainment areas: a park with thrill rides; a marine life park; a drive through animal preserve; and a New Orleans-styled indoor plaza with specialty shops, theatres and restaurants. A 600-room hotel and a campground were also to be built in the park. Marriott projected that the park would draw 11 million visitors a year when completed. Many local residents supported the project, while many others opposed it. Supporters argued that it would provide jobs, entertainment opportunities and tax revenues, while opponents contended that it would overwhelm area roads and the local sewerage system, and that it would result in undesired commercial sprawl. Opponents of the proposed park included Kingdon Gould. HRD and the Rouse Company defended criticism of their sale of the property to Marriott in part on the grounds the theme park would result in more open space than residential development of the land. In September 1972, the County Council rejected Marriott's request for changes in zoning laws that were needed for the project to go forward. The sale of the land by HRD to Marriott was never completed. In late 1973, HRD announced plans to annex its Huntington property to Columbia and the New Town district as part of Kings Contrivance. The land to be annexed amounted to about 500 additional acres that had not been made part of Columbia in 1965, and about 75% of what was to become Huntington. The HRD's plan to add Huntington to the New Town district was part of a larger proposal. Although adding Huntington was not controversial, other parts of the HRD's proposal were, especially its request to increase the number of townhouses and apartments that it was permitted to build