The foundation is being laid for the world's largest Ferris wheel on State Island. Will it succeed where so many efforts to bring tourists to the Fifth Borough have failed?
Patrick McGeehan reports on the ongoing efforts to attract tourists to State Island—with the most recent pitch coming in the form of a giant Ferris wheel.
The New York Wheel, as its called, will be built to a height of 630 feet, making it the tallest Ferris wheel in the world.
"It is the city’s latest and arguably most ambitious, if not audacious, attempt to draw tourists to Staten Island," writes McGeehan. "Workers have begun laying the foundation for the wheel, which will carry as many as 1,440 riders at a time and will be visible across New York Harbor."
Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the project, which includes an outlet mall, in 2012. Collectively known as "Destination St. George," the project has also been described as a game-changer for the borough.
The article also includes details about the funding for the project and details from some of the design and construction process for the wheel.
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City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
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Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research