NYC FERRIS WHEEL PROJECT HAS BIG BACKERS

[xchrom]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GIANT_FERRIS_WHEEL?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-09-29-03-00-56


In this image released by the New York Mayor's Office, Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 is an artist's rendering of a proposed 625-foot Ferris wheel, billed as the world's largest, planned as part of a retail and hotel complex along the Staten Island waterfront in New York. The attraction, called the New York Wheel, will cost $230 million. Officials say the observation wheel will be higher than the Singapore Flyer, the London Eye, and a "High Roller" wheel planned in Las Vegas. Beyond the wheel is the Manhattan skyline. (AP Photo/Office of the Mayor of New York)

NEW YORK (AP) -- The Ferris wheel may be a steam-age invention, but it is back in vogue in New York, which this week joined a long list of cities where urban planners or developers have bet that massive, modern versions of the old ride can serve as economic engines.

After the towering London Eye debuted in early 2000, it seemed as if there was no end to the number of cities dreaming about stimulating tourism by building their own giant observation wheel, modeled after the one drawing 3.5 million riders per year in Britain.

Re-creating London's success has proved to be daunting, with failed or postponed projects in a number of world-class cities. But the concept still has luster. Work is being done on two new massive wheels in Las Vegas. Seattle saw a smaller version open on its waterfront last spring.

Now, the biggest test yet will come in New York, where city officials announced Thursday that a private development group had been given approval to build the world's tallest Ferris wheel, at 625 feet, on the waterfront in Staten Island.

[B Calm]

1. Wow that would be cool to ride.

I like stories like this!

[MrSlayer]

2. $230 million for a ferris wheel?

That's fucking insane. I wonder if they meant the whole project will cost that much. It doesn't read that way but it would make more sense.

[longship]

3. Like building a cuckoo clock.

To quote Harry Lime:

Of course, Harry gets his in the Vienna sewers. A truly great flick: The Third Man

[xchrom]

5. ...

[marasinghe]

8. yep.

[coldwaterintheface]

4. Who is going to schlep over to Staten Island to see/ride a ferris wheel?

[HiPointDem]

6. what is this trend with building giant ferris wheels in major cities? i don't get it.

[graham4anything]

7. It would give citizens of the world some fantastic view of Manhattan skyline

and quickly pay for itself.

take the ferry from Manhattan to Staten Island, (less than 1/2 hour) and it will quickly become a major tourist attraction

As usual Mayor Bloomberg is thinking about alternative ways of bringing money in that don't involve local taxes.

Mega applause for this idea, and the Coney Island idea.

we love ya Mayor Mike.

[davidpdx]

9. There is a big one in Wuxi China where I was last year

I really wanted to ride it before I left, but never got a chance. Someone told me it never stops and takes 40 minutes to go all the way around. I guess if you have to go pee you either hold it or pretend it's raining. lol

[Iggy]

10. "Make No Small Plans, for They Have No Magic to

stir men's blood".

Chicago architect Daniel Burnham.

A huge new ferris wheel is not infrastructure.. but I support the project regardless.

the point is it appears the U.S. has become a nation of small plans... i.e. there's no plan in the
near future for coast to coast true high speed rail on dedicated rail, no plan to upgrade our
electrical grid to a smart grid-- no plan to connect that grid to large solar/wind farms which
could provide clean enery to the majority of our home and businesses.