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.
FULL STORY: Betting on the New York Wheel to Elevate Staten Island’s Fortunes
Staten Island Ferris Wheel Back From the Dead
With much of the infrastructure for the failed, 630-foot Ferris wheel project partially in place, investors are looking for ways to bring the New York Wheel back to life.
The New York Wheel Stops Spinning
Actually, the New York Wheel never started spinning, but now the project is permanently dead so it will never get the chance.
Can World's Largest Ferris Wheel Be a 'Game Changer' for Staten Island?
The centerpiece of a proposed $500 million retail and hotel project that aims to "bring new life and economic opportunity" to Staten Island, plans for the 625-foot New York Wheel were announced by Mayor Michael Bloomberg this week.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
This Toronto Suburb Has More Bus Riders Than Columbus, Ohio
Brampton, Ontario used gradual improvements in service to prove that if you build it, they will ride.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service