A proposed "Seven Wonders of the World" theme park, conference center and resort in south DeKalb County remains in limbo as developers continue to seek funding for the project.

Meanwhile, the contractor preparing the site for construction has stopped work, claiming an outstanding bill of more than $6 million.

Joey Ivansco/AJC (ENLARGE)

This is the construction site in DeKalb County for a proposed 'Seven Wonders of the World' theme park. The contractor preparing the site has stopped work.

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David Miller, an attorney representing the theme park's developers, disputed that figure and said the project, which first surfaced more than two years ago, remains on track. Miller said his clients, Atlanta-based Top Flight Development Group, have told him they are close to securing the next round of funding from a private investment group that would allow construction to begin.

"They've been working on this for at least six months and are in the final stages," said Miller, speaking for Top Flight officials.

Miller acknowledged that the contractor, Atlanta-based RACT Inc., may be owed some money, though he suggested it is far less than $6 million.

The first phase of the project, Grand Empire Palace and Resort, is estimated to cost $675 million.

RACT Inc. was hired to do grading work, erosion control and sewer work on the property, just north of I-20 in Lithonia. The company stopped work in December.

The company's lawyer, Maureen McLeod, said she may soon file a lawsuit to recoup her client's money.

The project, previously known as Grand Empire at Fun World, has had a troubled history.

The developers ran into trouble in 2006 when, while operating as a different entity, they defaulted on a $6.3 million loan to purchase the initial site. The developers created a new company and refinanced.

Plans for Grand Empire call for a 250,000-square-foot amusement park, an indoor water park, hotel conference center, family arcade center, restaurants and shops.

Developers say the project will have a theme based on the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Color sketches of what the project might look like were laid out on tables during a community meeting last fall, showing the indoor water park shaped like the Great Pyramid of Egypt and a theme park entrance shaped like a temple.

Last September, developers announced plans to expand the project by purchasing an adjacent 65-acre tract, which they said would house a nine-hole golf course, retail shops, housing and an indoor theme park. The plans would require a zoning change.

But it's not clear whether they've sought a rezoning. Top Flight's rezoning attorney, Michele Battle, declined to comment.