Six Flags theme park planned for Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Dubai could soon have some new roller coasters to go with its man-made islands and the world's tallest skyscraper.

Newspapers in the Middle Eastern emirate reported Sunday that local property developer Meraas Holding has reached a deal with Six Flags Entertainment to build a theme park in the city's largely industrial outskirts.

The park will be in the Jebel Ali area, which is home to the region's biggest port and aluminum smelter. It is expected to open in 2017. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Dubai previously had a deal with Six Flags and several other companies to build multiple theme parks in a different area known as Dubailand. Plans for that Six Flags park were scrapped in the wake of Dubai's financial crisis, which came to a head in 2009.