Staten Island, constantly looking for ways to get people to get off the ferry in St. George and walk around (people, there are many!), may have finally hit on something that could work: The world's largest Ferris wheel. It'll be the perfect companion to a nice cold Blizzard from the DQ about to open in the Terminal. But seriously, this isn't a bad idea!
The Staten Island Advance reports that "the New York City Economic Development Corporation is in heavy negotiations with a company to build a giant observation wheel—bigger than famous tourist attraction the London Eye and the world’s largest wheel, the Singapore Flyer—on a parcel near the ferry terminal." Specifically, they are talking about putting the 600+ foot wheel between the Postcards Memorial and Jersey Street just past the SI Yankees Stadium.
The idea came about after the city released a Request for Expressions of Interest for two parcels of land by the Ferry Terminal last summer. Other ideas being proposed for the one or both parcels include high-end outlet shopping—but in any case parking would in the area would be retained if not expanded, according to the EDC.
"We received several compelling responses to the RFEI and are in active negotiations with multiple respondents as we work towards unlocking the significant economic development potential of these two important sites on Staten Island’s North Shore," EDC spokesman Kyle Sklerov said in a pretty blah statement.
Honestly, this seems like a great idea to us. A giant wheel won't necessarily block views from the Staten Islanders on the hill, but would offer great views itself and would get tourists a few steps closer to discovering the loveliness that is St. George, Staten Island. Plus, if the similar London Eye and Singapore Flyer are any indication it would make a metric ton of cash for both the operators and for nearby businesses. Of course the area will quickly need a whole lot more food and drink options for all those tourists waiting for their turn to ride, but those would come. Another bonus? We could finally have the tallest something again—at least for a few days. Build it!
