From the Mayor's Blog



http://www.mayorslay.com/desk/display-p ... eskID=1075



"The Rodgers brothers are pursuing a proposal to place 175’ tall “luxury” observation wheel on Laclede’s Landing. At the base of the wheel (which uses fully enclosed, air-conditioned gondolas), the brothers plan a gathering facility suitable for corporate events. This proposal has the support of the Laclede’s Landing business district, Pinnacle Entertainment, CVC Director Kitty Ratcliffe, and Alderwoman Phyllis Young. Similar installations are located in Niagara Falls, New York and on California’s Santa Monica Pier. (This is probably the most interesting TIF proposal the City has ever received, and we are looking forward to working through the challenges presented — e.g., is an observation wheel real property? Is it personal property?)"



Did not see this anywhere on the forum so forgive me if this is a duplicate. Odd proposal, kind of neat. Though I was not sure when a Ferris wheel turned into a luxury observation wheel! Either way, the one in Santa Monica is really cool.

Sounds cool. Seems like the Robert's Brothers usually know what they're doing.

Seems like the Robert's Brothers usually know what they're doing

Agreed.



This project is proposed, though, by the Rodgers brothers, Mark and John -- a different set of accomplished siblings.

^So PE, can we finally bury Port St. Louis? It has been stinking up the place for awhile now.



This would be a great addition to the Landing, although I'm not sure how you would go about gauging the market for corporate event Ferris wheel rides. Interesting that this proposed Ferris wheel appears to be almost exactly the same size as the Colossus out in Eureka. Hmmm... :-s



Maybe the Rodgers brothers will put up twin wheels so they can have Ferris wheel races.

So PE

I'm just sorting siblings. Somebody else has to explain Ferris wheels.

^Right. I didn't really expect an answer.



I suppose they can always still name it Port St. Louis - whatever this hybrid Ferris wheel/conference center/? construct turns out to be.



Gee, now I wonder where all of these corporate event attendees are going to park?

publiceye wrote:

Seems like the Robert's Brothers usually know what they're doing

Agreed.



This project is proposed, though, by the Rodgers brothers, Mark and John -- a different set of accomplished siblings.

Haha. Sorry. I wasn't thinking.



I still think it might be a good idea.



Interesting anyway. Is there a big enough market.

Yeaahh. I'm going to have to see some renderings before I feel one way or another about a ferris wheel on laclede's landing.



a ferris wheel is going to compliment the bars on lacledes landing real well.

My bet is the Arch is the far better view by the end of the day so this idea a non-starter in my mind and only takes away from the Arch. Finally, they are proposing something similiar to upgrade the ferris wheel on Navy Pier in Chicago. What would you pick?



Getting Pinnacle to keep both its gambling licenses on Laclede's Landing with another development once it scraps the boat is a far better proposition.

Dredger wrote:
Getting Pinnacle to keep both its gambling licenses on Laclede's Landing with another development once it scraps the boat is a far better proposition.

Well that's not happening. The Admiral will be gone soon and the President Casino will likely be moving north to the Chain of Rocks Bridge.

I think its pretty cool (especially if it lights up at night), it will be a cool addition to the skyline. As far as St. Louis not being London, how many cities are London? That type of mentality has been stifling development for years typical St. Louis. Why cant we just be happy to see a cool little development on the riverfront, people like these kinds of things and it could eventually force them to beautify the riverfront.

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:Ummmmm....What exactly would they see?

The top of some stuff.

Moorlander, I don't think anything well happen til the loss limit referendum is voted on. Then the bidding begins (for both the license and where to relocate the Casino). Pinnacle certainly kept the door open to anything from my reading of the PD article this week.



Back to the thread. A good question to ask with Pinnacle's support is why would the TIF board need to support this project? It would seem reasonable for Pinnacle to invest in projects that help bring people to Laclede's Landing.

Dredger wrote:My bet is the Arch is the far better view by the end of the day so this idea a non-starter in my mind and only takes away from the Arch. Finally, they are proposing something similiar to upgrade the ferris wheel on Navy Pier in Chicago. What would you pick?



Getting Pinnacle to keep both its gambling licenses on Laclede's Landing with another development once it scraps the boat is a far better proposition.

A ferris wheel would be a lot smaller than the Arch. It would be a kind of fun temporaryish non-sculpture thing and would be a great way to view the Arch from the outside. Also, a skyline with a ferris wheel shows that there are fun things near the Arch to anyone who sees pictures of the skyline. And it gives people who have seen the Arch a reason to come back.

Dredger wrote:Back to the thread. A good question to ask with Pinnacle's support is why would the TIF board need to support this project? It would seem reasonable for Pinnacle to invest in projects that help bring people to Laclede's Landing.

What makes you think Pinnacle plans to invest in this project?



BTW, according to Wikipedia, this would be the second largest Ferris wheel in North America, for whatever that is worth.

Colossus, the ferris wheel at Six Flags St. Louis, is currently the 2nd tallest in North America, after the one at the Texas State Fair grounds in Dallas.



It is 180 feet tall. The Arch is 3.5 times as tall. So I don't think something similar would would detract from the Arch.



I was always pushing for some kind of alpine ski lift style sky ride starting on the West side of 70, going along the river front and possibly crossing the river.



Chicago and Orlando are talking about building giant observation wheels like the London Eye. I rode the Eye. It turns very slowly and goes around once in 30 minutes. You step on while it moves and each pod holds 30 people or so. It costs over $25 bucks to ride once around, but it is a great view in an air conditioned capsule you can walk around in.

Gary Kreie wrote:Colossus, the ferris wheel at Six Flags St. Louis, is currently the 2nd tallest in North America, after the one at the Texas State Fair grounds in Dallas.



It is 180 feet tall. The Arch is 3.5 times as tall. So I don't think something similar would would detract from the Arch.



I was always pushing for some kind of alpine ski lift style sky ride starting on the West side of 70, going along the river front and possibly crossing the river.



Chicago and Orlando are talking about building giant observation wheels like the London Eye. I rode the Eye. It turns very slowly and goes around once in 30 minutes. You step on while it moves and each pod holds 30 people or so. It costs over $25 bucks to ride once around, but it is a great view in an air conditioned capsule you can walk around in.

sky lifts and ferris wheels? Didn't downtown have its shot at Disney World?



I wouldn't mind seeing those things across the river though. I'm not sure how the view from atop the ferris wheel would be from there but the eastside could be rejuvenated into something similar to Coney Island. Maybe even have a steamboat to cross the river. Point is, both river fronts need an overhaul.



I've never been in the arch but I imagine its probably the best vantage point to see downtown? I understand wanting a different view but couldn't that be accomplished with a few skyscrapers? I also can't imagine a ferris wheel on laclede's landing. No vision I guess.

Jblues, I didn't mean that Pinnacle is investing in the Ferris. What I was asking or attempting to ask. If the Ferris Wheel is such a good idea why shouldn't Pinnacle invest into it? They have money, the ferris wheel would be next to their casino, and any addtional foot traffic would benefit them.



My own opinion is that their is limit to TIFs and the projects that should be supported by them. This project doesn't offer to build any residential, office, viable commercial or industrial space.

I cant think of anything more "tacky" than this



You have the amazing Gateway Arch and then with in sight you have a side-show carnival attraction





WEAK and very TACKY

^Do you consider the London Eye a tacky, carnival sideshow attraction?

How about the Ferris wheel on Navy Pier?



A lot of people in those cities said the same thing, and much more vehemently than you did, yet once they were up, the majority of residents loved them.

citywatcher wrote:I cant think of anything more "tacky" than this



You have the amazing Gateway Arch and then with in sight you have a side-show carnival attraction





WEAK and very TACKY

Okay....so is Navy Pier and the London Eye weak and tacky? Or is this just tacky, because St. Louis is trying to do this? Seriously guys how long are we gonna bash everything into the ground? Everyone should be happy St. Louis has been seeing some positive interest in the economic development of the riverfront and archgrounds. Not saying we have to accept every tacky idea that comes around, just saying the riverfront should at least have a Ferris wheel. Everyone is like Arch this Arch that, but what about the acres of (tacky) industrial riverfront on our front step?

I guess nothing says "Welcome to the Most Dangerous City in America" like an abandoned industrial waterfront.

Agreed... Navy Pier sucks....



LL is lower than DT as it slopes down toward the river. You would think they would want the wheel elevated to maximize the view.