175’ tall “luxury” observation wheel on Landing?

matguy70 · PostOct 16, 2008#762008-10-16T00:22+00:00

I am in Niagara Falls, Canada right now and coincidently the brand new SkyWheel here is exactly the same type of structure coming to STL. I kind of like this idea and I think it will really look beautiful at night on the skyline if they light it (like they do here in Niagara) at night. Lots of illumination and really stands out. I particularly like the way Lumiere Place has lit up downtown and gives a very "alive" presenceon the downtown skyline. If anywhere, I think this is a great additon to our skyline and moreso to the Landing which is increasing it's tourism and presence in the city once again. I think this also promotes the landing as a family friendly area and is a great addition to the north riverfront.

Just my opinion...

Niagara SkyWheel:

PHOTO:

http://www.accessniagara.com/blog/media ... _wheel.jpg

Night pic:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_I_ws1cXMXi0/SG0H4 ... G_1900.JPG

jmedwick · PostOct 16, 2008#772008-10-16T13:39+00:00

^ That photo really says it all. Notice how the wheel is located in the middle of a theme park....

jambalaya · PostOct 16, 2008#782008-10-16T18:11+00:00

Very good point!

zink · PostOct 16, 2008#792008-10-16T19:11+00:00

How about a roller coaster that MIRRORS the arch on the east side.

Now that would be awesome! (To ride)

matguy70 · PostOct 16, 2008#802008-10-16T22:24+00:00

actually it is not in a theme park - that is located in downtown Niagara Falls, Ontario. It looks like it is in that photo doesn't it?!

But in reality, it is located right next door to the CASINO NIAGARA - hmmmm - sounds just like STL's set up. The area around it has NO roller Coasters or anything else.... Now looking at that phot above - it isn't even a photo it is a drawing and I am not sure what all that is.

framer · PostOct 17, 2008#812008-10-17T05:40+00:00

Please god, don't let Downtown St. Lous become anything like Niagra Falls!

publiceye · PostOct 17, 2008#822008-10-17T13:21+00:00

Annual visitors to Niagara Falls, 15 million. Annual visitors to the Arch, 4 million.

bonwich · PostOct 17, 2008#832008-10-17T14:03+00:00

publiceye wrote:Annual visitors to Niagara Falls, 15 million. Annual visitors to the Arch, 4 million.

Not allowing your skyline to be disrupted by tacky carney attractions, priceless.

moorlander · PostOct 17, 2008#842008-10-17T14:41+00:00

IMO this project would be more attractive if positioned on the wester portion of Gateway Mall.

jlblues · PostOct 17, 2008#852008-10-17T16:13+00:00

publiceye wrote:Annual visitors to Niagara Falls, 15 million. Annual visitors to the Arch, 4 million.

OK, you've convinced me. Now lets get to work building that Ferris wheel...and a massive waterfall on the Mississippi.

I'm pretty sure it'd be the world's only brown waterfall.

stlouis270 · PostNov 08, 2008#862008-11-08T18:45+00:00

Belgian bank backing proposed Ferris wheel on Laclede's Landing

The brothers proposing a Ferris wheel on Laclede's Landing said Friday that they have a Belgian lender but are unsure whether the 175-foot high contraption will be spinning by next summer's All-Star game.

Full Story

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/busine ... enDocument

shadrach · PostNov 08, 2008#872008-11-08T19:54+00:00

Any coincidence that a Belgian bank is investing in St. Louis?

Not to insinuate anything, but I doubt the bank didn't know where StL was until the InBev deal.

goat314 · PostNov 08, 2008#882008-11-08T21:19+00:00

I think that the $500 loss limit had something to do with this, but you probably have a point with the InBev deal too. That deal definitely gave St. Louis a little bit more name recognition overseas.

the central scrutinizer · PostNov 09, 2008#892008-11-09T01:45+00:00

shadrach wrote:Any coincidence that a Belgian bank is investing in St. Louis?

Not to insinuate anything, but I doubt the bank didn't know where StL was until the InBev deal.

I bet they did.

Fitraco specializes in financing and leasing rides and other attractions.

gary kreie · PostNov 09, 2008#902008-11-09T02:49+00:00

I called for a ferris wheel at the Bottle District last year. Great minds...

http://www.urbanstl.com/viewtopic.php?p ... rris#78419

dredger · PostNov 09, 2008#912008-11-09T03:36+00:00

The pd article noted that the World Fair's Ferris Wheel was 100' higher. I couldn't help notice that comment.

As for the Belgians, How about financing Budweiser Tower (you already own the name). Say 25 to 30 thirty stories in Ballpark Village. It would be right next to Busch Stadium. How about reviving the Port St. Louis condo project or the Skyhouse for the new execs coming in. Instead, you come up with the idea of financing a Ferris Wheel after spending a cool 50 billion on beer maker!

rbb · PostDec 11, 2008#922008-12-11T13:21+00:00

Ferris Wheel gains impetus

The St. Louis Tax Increment Financing Commission voted Wednesday to recommend $900,000 in tax-increment financing to bring a Ferris wheel to Laclede's Landing.

The approval followed a last-minute change in lenders for the $11.7 million project.

Full story at the link.

-RBB

jmedwick · PostDec 11, 2008#932008-12-11T13:28+00:00

Oh good gosh, what a waste of $900,000. #-o

rbb · PostDec 11, 2008#942008-12-11T18:55+00:00

Now, if they'd have put the luxury ferris wheel on a floating island in the Mississippi I'd be on board...

-RBB

goat314 · PostDec 11, 2008#952008-12-11T19:23+00:00

JMedwick wrote:Oh good gosh, what a waste of $900,000. #-o

I'm sure we've financed worst things. I look foward to seeing this project....its not that bad.

matguy70 · PostDec 12, 2008#962008-12-12T03:15+00:00

I am for this too. I think it will look good coming into the city from the east side and I also think it will be an attractions for families and young people... something the Laclede's Landing and downtown needs.

realclear · PostDec 12, 2008#972008-12-12T05:19+00:00

The pd article noted that the World Fair's Ferris Wheel was 100' higher. I couldn't help notice that comment.

jeez... someone tell the Post Disgrace the World's Fair was more than 100 years ago...it's time to move on.

pillpusher2007 · PostDec 12, 2008#982008-12-12T06:43+00:00

I hate to say this but, THE ARCH ALREADY HAS A GREAT VIEW OF THE CITY! Why not build this in an planned "more active" area like BALL PARK VILLAGE(Oh wait thats not there yet), or the BOTTLE DISTRICT(Oh wait thats not done either). Im not saying this is a bad idea but I definately dont want to see it "flop". The last thing I want to see is a big wheel that is starting to rust and corrode 20 years down the road, and find my self complaining in this same thread that it shouldve been demolished years ago. Maybe this is a project that in all acceptable reason should be on hold until a "neater" location is developed for it instead of Laclede's Landing, or are we just accepting that none of these projects will ever get off the ground. No pun intended. However, I do understand that this was proposed for the landing in the first place. I am just venting a bit

stlcardsblues1989 · PostDec 12, 2008#992008-12-12T07:16+00:00

As long as this is not right next to the arch, I kind of like it. If it brings revenue into the city, then cool. We already have a very unique monument, the arch, why not add another? And on the ferris wheel you could overlook the water. There's not much to see on Metro East though (no offense) unless you like grain elevators. Hopefully in a few years if the economy picks back up and this is profitable, some money can be raised to get that Gateway Geyser thing set up. That would be neat. Check out the arch, ride the ferris wheel (I can't see my Mom riding it), and watch the geysers go.

threeonefour · PostDec 12, 2008#1002008-12-12T13:44+00:00

I see no harm in the Ferris wheel per se. It might even be kind of neat if it's done properly. But I cannot think of a worse possible use of TIF, especially at a time when the city needs to use economic development tools, ahem, tax breaks, wisely. Then again, the city hasn't exactly tried to say "no" to developers wanting incentives.

And since Port St. Louis was cancelled and this plan put in its place, it kind of feels like winning a booby prize to me.

175’ tall “luxury” observation wheel on Landing?

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