Dream Of Massive Ferris Wheel On Staten Island Dies

NEW YORK, NY –Plans for a massive ferris wheel on the shores of Staten Island have officially died, six years after the ambitious project was announced.

The 630-foot New York Wheel had advanced far enough that the base for its huge legs had already been laid. But the project, designed to lure tourists to the Forgotten Borough for sweeping views of Downtown Manhattan, has been mired in problems.

Originally slated to open in 2017, its construction was pushed back as costs went way over the original $580 million budget and a previous investor began a legal fight claiming he'd been pushed out of the development.

Project spokeswoman Cristyne Nicholas said Tuesday: “After years of planning, the developers of The New York Wheel announce, with great disappointment, that the dream of building a world class attraction in Staten Island will unfortunately not come to fruition.

"We are grateful for the support of the residents of Staten Island, the Borough President and Council Members, the unions, construction workers, tourism leaders, and the Staten Island Advance for their steadfast support for the creative cornerstone of the redevelopment of the North Shore which would have created thousands of jobs and millions of dollars of economic growth for Staten Island and New York City."

The news was first reported by the Staten Island Advance.

“The developers of The New York Wheel are proud to have delivered a state-of-the art, modern 325,000 square-foot garage structure, providing up to 950 deeply discounted commuter parking spaces, a turnaround area for 12 motor coach buses, and the MTA Railroad Right of Way decking to connect the site to Richmond Terrace, allowing pedestrian access to the waterfront along Bank Street that was previously shut off to the public," Nicholas said.

"We sincerely thank the people of Staten Island for joining us in believing in this important project and urge the City to think big and dedicate the site to tourism development that will help to support the Empire Outlets, the Richmond County Bank Ballpark – home of the Staten Island Yankees and the rich cultural institutions that line the North Shore of Staten Island.”

The statement did not give a reason why the project was scrapped, but the Real Deal reported that investors Lloyd Goldman and Jeffrey Feil had been frustrated that the city wouldn't support tax incentives.

Lead image via New York Wheel