Whether they are made out of sunken ships, aircraft or concrete blocks, artificial reefs attract marine life which attracts recreational divers who spend dollars in the local economy.
Its no weirder than building a fake castle in Orlando and expecting tourists to come and spend money to see it.
Well, the artificial reef part is fairly straightforward. I've fished some myself, and contributed debris to a few as well. Also fished from time to time on wrecks, and even sunk airplanes. But the idea of getting permits to build a quasi Disney type attraction underwater, in public waters, in our "fragile and rare ecosystem" right in the middle of real reefs and healthy marine communities of fauna and flora is a little shocking in this day and age.
But the weird part is the ruins of Atlantis theme combined with the idea of selling gravesites in the attraction. AFAIK, you can't buy gravesites in Disney World, can you?
But having said all that, the thing sounds like fun, and should bring more customers to the local dive boats and other businesses patronized by those who will come to dive the thing. It's pretty much OK with me.
"Its no weirder than building a fake castle in Orlando and expecting tourists to come and spend money to see it."
Does this "Atlantis" have underwater rollercoster rides? (snicker snicker)