New York Wheel
| New York Wheel | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Ferris wheel |
| Location | Staten Island, New York City |
| Construction started | 2015 (expected) |
| Opening | 2017 (expected) |
| Cost | 2012 estimate: $230 million[1] 2013 estimate: $330 million[2] 2014 estimate: $400 million[3] |
| Height | 630 ft (192.0 m) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Starneth BV |
| Main contractor | Starneth BV |
| Other information | |
| Seating capacity | 1,440 |
The New York Wheel is a 630-foot (192.0 m) tall giant Ferris wheel[1][4][5][6] planned for construction in St. George, Staten Island alongside Empire Outlets. Although the two projects are going through the approval process simultaneously and will share consultants on issues such as traffic and the waterfront, they are two separate projects, each funded separately.[7][8]
History
In October 2008, Meir Laufer, the developer behind the New York Wheel, traveled to experience the London Eye and met with its lead engineer. He established a business relationship with them to bring a wheel to New York. On September 27, 2012, at a press conference headed by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York Wheel CEO Richard Marin announced that a deal has been worked out and the wheel would be located at the St. George Waterfront District.[5]
In announcing the New York Wheel, city mayor Michael Bloomberg issued a statement that read: "The New York Wheel will be an attraction unlike any other in New York City - even unlike any other on the planet. It will offer unparalleled and breathtaking views, and is sure to become one of the premier attractions in New York City and the latest exciting addition to our newly revitalized waterfront."
Construction of the wheel, which was to start in the beginning of 2014 and end in 2015,[1][9] but this has since been put back several times; in April 2013, it was reported to be July 4, 2016.[10][11] On June 12, 2013 construction was approved by Staten Island Community Board 1,[12][13] and on October 30 it was also approved by New York City Council, with construction to start in early 2014[14] and a grand opening planned for 2016,[6] but as of October 2014, construction is now planned to start in early 2015 with an opening date for early 2017.[14] On December 11, state economic development officials excluded the proposal from a list of 824 projects selected for state funding under a regional economic development program, saying it would not provide the overall economic benefit needed to qualify, however a spokesman for the project said it would continue to move forward.[2]
Design and construction
The designated designer and manufacturer is Starneth BV, which has team members who worked on the London Eye. The New York Wheel will have 36 passenger capsules, each carrying up to 40 passengers, and a total maximum capacity of 1,440 people per ride. Bloomberg's office said it expects up to 30,000 passengers per day and about 4.5 million per year.[9] The wheel is expected to create 400 construction jobs and 700 full-time jobs,[2] and to operate every day of the year, except during adverse weather or maintenance, from 10:00 to 22:00/24:00, with extra hours during summer. A single ride is expected to last about 38 minutes.
References
- ^ a b c World's tallest observation wheel to tower over New York
- ^ a b c Mayor Bloomberg’s Staten Island Ferris wheel plan drops off economic development plan
- ^ http://www.ny1.com/content/news/borough_spotlight/207758/betting-on-the-big-wheel--ny-wheel-ceo-brushes-off-doubts-about-his-project
- ^ Empire Outlets New York City
- ^ a b Ferris Wheel Eyed for Ferry Terminal
- ^ a b "Giant Staten Island Ferris wheel approved by city council". WABC TV. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
- ^ New York Wheel CEO says Staten Island neighborhood will be riding high
- ^ More Parking, More Green Spaces Part Of Updated Plans For SI Ferris Wheel, Outlet Mall
- ^ a b Goldman, Henry. "World's Biggest Ferris Wheel Will Anchor Staten Island Complex". Bloomberg. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
- ^ Wheeler-dealer SI Ferris lawsuit
- ^ Staten Island outlet mall planned near New York Wheel to include Nike, Adidas, Coach
- ^ "Staten Island Ferris wheel approved by community board". WABC TV. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
- ^ Massive Ferris wheel gets board approval by Casey Tolan, NY Daily News, Wednesday, June 12, 2013
- ^ a b http://newyorkwheel.com/project-schedule/