By that logic, only one city should have a landmark Ferris wheel, too, but dozens of them do (London, Seattle, Chicago, Singapore, apparently D.C., and countless others), ergo St. Louis shouldn't build one, correct? Anyway, this company is building two of these towers, one in Orlando and a shorter one in New Orleans. However, as much as I would love to see one here as it would redefine the skyline and attract countless MORE visitors if built instead of (or in addition to) a landmark Ferris wheel, I agree something unique would be better. Still something tall, preferably, and fun. I mean, Ferris wheels are not fun. At all. We already have one Downtown anyway. You'll get cool views, but big whoop, unless you're going up there to make out with your girlfriend, there's not much to it. It won't even be as tall as Union Station itself. Roller coasters are extremely fun, though, and the one in Orlando will be the tallest in the world and have an attached building with other stuff to do inside. Maybe if an actual amusement ride were built (i.e. not a Ferris wheel because that isn't amusing), then I'd actually go to Union Station for more than just a free place to piss once in awhile when I'm walking around Downtown.
"By that logic, only one city should have a landmark Ferris wheel, too, but dozens of them do (London, Seattle, Chicago, Singapore, apparently D.C., and countless others), ergo St. Louis shouldn't build one, correct?"
BINGO!
I would argue that putting a Ferris Wheel in DT will not attract much people outside of the metro region to visit the city (but maybe that's fine - even more local people coming DT would be nice). No offense, but I'd rather go to one of the cities you listed above to see their Ferris Wheel. That's not me being overly negative of the city (I love the city and still own a place DT), but it's just the reality the city faces right now. DT needs some more differentiating stuff. We got a nice viewing station in a world reknown structure already. A tower with a roller coaster... I don't know. maybe throw some ziplines from it to some of the other tall buildings and now you got something! ... and then make one side of it a giant climbing wall...
actually speaking of giant climbing walls, 200 S. Hanley before Forest Park Pwy! the front face of that tower would be an awesome climbing wall... anybody know what i'm talking about? someone oughtta mail Alain Robert a picture of the building.
BINGO!
I would argue that putting a Ferris Wheel in DT will not attract much people outside of the metro region to visit the city (but maybe that's fine - even more local people coming DT would be nice). No offense, but I'd rather go to one of the cities you listed above to see their Ferris Wheel. That's not me being overly negative of the city (I love the city and still own a place DT), but it's just the reality the city faces right now. DT needs some more differentiating stuff. We got a nice viewing station in a world reknown structure already. A tower with a roller coaster... I don't know. maybe throw some ziplines from it to some of the other tall buildings and now you got something! ... and then make one side of it a giant climbing wall...
actually speaking of giant climbing walls, 200 S. Hanley before Forest Park Pwy! the front face of that tower would be an awesome climbing wall... anybody know what i'm talking about? someone oughtta mail Alain Robert a picture of the building.- 3,429
I am in Gatlinburg for spring break. Looks like they have one of those new Ferris wheels here in Pigeon Forge now.
Went to the private Ripley's Aquarium today when it rained. They charge $30 per person, but it was packed because it's pretty good. Long plexiglass tunnel with a moving sidewalk moving you through a winding tube through a giant tank with lots of sharks and other fish. Also many other exhibits including a stingray presentation. They added a penguin section since the last time I was here many years ago.
Why doesn't St Louis lure somewhat to build a for-profit aquarium and charge $30 per person. I think it would work in St Louis.
Went to the private Ripley's Aquarium today when it rained. They charge $30 per person, but it was packed because it's pretty good. Long plexiglass tunnel with a moving sidewalk moving you through a winding tube through a giant tank with lots of sharks and other fish. Also many other exhibits including a stingray presentation. They added a penguin section since the last time I was here many years ago.
Why doesn't St Louis lure somewhat to build a for-profit aquarium and charge $30 per person. I think it would work in St Louis.
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I looked up 200 S. Hanley and see what you mean! You could have three person climbing races!ynot wrote: I would argue that putting a Ferris Wheel in DT will not attract much people outside of the metro region to visit the city (but maybe that's fine - even more local people coming DT would be nice). No offense, but I'd rather go to one of the cities you listed above to see their Ferris Wheel. That's not me being overly negative of the city (I love the city and still own a place DT), but it's just the reality the city faces right now. DT needs some more differentiating stuff. We got a nice viewing station in a world reknown structure already. A tower with a roller coaster... I don't know. maybe throw some ziplines from it to some of the other tall buildings and now you got something! ... and then make one side of it a giant climbing wall...
As for Union Station, I think the issue is how to build a reasonably successful amusement center at a reasonable cost.... modern ferris wheels are relatively inexpensive and can provide a good return with less risk; something like the tower coaster would be awesome and possibly provide a greater payoff but it would be more risk and make what I think is a planned $60 million project a $100 million+ one. If the initial roll-out proves successful, it would be great to see them add even cooler stuff like the tower coaster/observation deck.
I do think this project has a lot of potential even if it isn't a super-regional draw like Six Flags; if executed well it will bring more people downtown and lengthen downtown stays. A figure of 1 million attendance was floated around, even half that wouldn't be bad.
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Everyone wants a piece of the Ferris wheel action
http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/ar ... 43167.html
http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/ar ... 43167.html
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Bob's (RIP) Big Eli is the only wheel worth its salt. Am I right?
edit- I really had to edit this, because Six Flags over MId America was really ahead of the curve bringing back the truly big wheel with Colossus, so I have to pay them their dues.
edit- I really had to edit this, because Six Flags over MId America was really ahead of the curve bringing back the truly big wheel with Colossus, so I have to pay them their dues.
Has anyone seen anything or talked to anyone about where Union Station stands with the ferris wheel/amusement park?
Who is responsible for maintaining the stone sidewalk in front of Union Station? It looks very bad with all the asphalt/concrete patchwork.
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I haven't heard a peep more about any progress on the amusement park plans, however, there is some scuttlebutt that some tenants are being forced out next month and may or may not have to do with the OutGames coming in late May/early June. Seems to me though that any kind of substantial closure would be precarious for tenants so that would be odd. Anyway, it will be interesting to see what if anything may be going on.
Recently heard that some announcements will be coming in March pertaining to the amusement park plans. Source said some big things are in the works. Not sure I have a good gage on what the source regards as big, however.
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^ thanks! and interesting! it must be at least biggish on whatever the big meter is -- because if they are kicking out tenants they aren't joking around. This kind of makes sense then, Outgames using Union Station as sort of an Olympic Village this summer and then on to the amusement park work.
Here is the announcement that was expected:
http://nextstl.com/2016/01/100m-remake- ... -included/
http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/ ... f26d7.html
http://nextstl.com/2016/01/100m-remake- ... -included/
http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/ ... f26d7.html
Oh man. With this, the foundry, BJC/Cortex, and SLU construction, it will be impossible to drive 40 eastbound and not think this city is on the rise. I think these projects together will go a long way towards changing perceptions of our urban core.
As someone mentioned on another thread, a Blues hockey practice facility under the train shed would've been much cooler than this this proposal. And would've likely had more staying power as an activity for families and tourists than an amusement park. I'm feeling optimistic about downtown and the City in general, just not about this particular project. I honestly don't believe it will last more than a decade.
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^ I'm cautiously optimistic... one positive I think this has over the failed previous iteration is that it doesn't have to land a load of retail tenants so this plan may be more manageable.... if it doesn't need to be a home run attraction with attendance to be financially successful I think it should work out. I do hope they can put in an ice rink for winter; that would be great and help draw the year-round attraction.
DannyJ, what part do you think won't last a decade. Confused, from what I understand the majority of the work will go into converting retail space into more hotel rooms, food court, Ferris Wheel and refurbishing the shed itself. Refurbishing the shed in itself will extend its life cycle for several decades. Believe the hotel rooms is one thing that has worked from the get go. I think adding more rooms will solidify and add revenues for LHM.
I can see your point on the Ferris Wheel but at the same time nothing really of that magnitude or size is comparable in the immediate area. Give the Ferris Wheel better chances than say another attempt at retail/or mall or say an underwhelming roller coaster. I also see any food court addition being a minimal investment and really not expecting much out of it.
But, have to agree. A Blues practice/a ice rink facility downtown and under the shed would be a nice addition. Heck, my boy is going to a ice skating party next weekend in downtown Oakland and the closet NHL team is the Sharks down in San Jose. I think such a facility would work well for downtown St Louis
I can see your point on the Ferris Wheel but at the same time nothing really of that magnitude or size is comparable in the immediate area. Give the Ferris Wheel better chances than say another attempt at retail/or mall or say an underwhelming roller coaster. I also see any food court addition being a minimal investment and really not expecting much out of it.
But, have to agree. A Blues practice/a ice rink facility downtown and under the shed would be a nice addition. Heck, my boy is going to a ice skating party next weekend in downtown Oakland and the closet NHL team is the Sharks down in San Jose. I think such a facility would work well for downtown St Louis
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^ I agree with this.... basically the plan is to scale back the retail to a much more manageable level while adding more hotel space, an indoor attraction (the unnamed 75K sq. ft. of space which I assume will be along the lines of Legoland DIscovery Center, etc.) and an outdoor ferris wheel, small scale outdoor retail in old train cars and some light/fire show bling. I kind of see it as a strategic downsizing of the original Rouse project with a Ferris Wheel as a new, signature attraction,
So are Hard Rock and Landry's getting the boot, or are they staying? I went to the Blues game on New Year's Eve, didn't want to spend $50+ elsewhere downtown for a ticket, and so we stopped by Hard Rock because of its convenient location and free cover. It was a great New Year's experience. My brother has season tickets and stops by Landry's before almost every game. I know these are chain locations, but they fit a niche and are convenient. So if they go will they be replaced with anything other than just vendors?
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^ I believe they are staying. Having said that, ideally I think it might be nice if one or the other relocated elsewhere in downtown in a more street-oriented space and then have that freed up spot taken by something like T-Rex or Rainforest Cafe that might help solidify the family attraction component. (I think the goal should be to strive for a good balance that can attract families in the day and then move to an adult orientation by night.)
Alderman Ingrassia is hinting about other hotels looking to build around Union Station:
http://www.stltoday.com/business/column ... 514f9.html
http://www.stltoday.com/business/column ... 514f9.html
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^ interesting; I also look forward to seeing the Aloe Plaza plans.
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They added new lighting recently to Aloe Plaza. I wonder if there is more planned.
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I don't agree with the criticism of the ferris wheel while suggesting a roller coaster as an alternative. A ferris wheel is much more family friendly, which is really what is lacking downtown...and the family attractions are generally what get people to visit the city, not just for entertaining metro area citizens. I think it would add something fresh and creative to the landscape.
I like the idea of the ice rink/practice facility though.
I like the idea of the ice rink/practice facility though.
^I think a ferris wheel is less gimmicky than a roller coaster. Plus, maybe it's just me, but I feel like a roller coaster is more of a destination thing, like one goes somewhere specifically to ride roller coasters and is in the mindset for that. Whereas a ferris wheel is more of a "Hey, there's a ferris wheel over there. Let's go check that out!" If that makes sense.
And RW, I can understand either Hard Rock or Landry's leaving, but I'd like to see them stay. I think Union Station is a great location for Hard Rock, a more iconic (for lack of a better term) chain restaurant that is really geared towards tourists. I've never been to Landry's, but like I said, my brother goes there before every Blues game. It's a nice little district convenient for Blues games between Hard Rock, Landry's, Maggie O's, and Lombardo's for a more upscale pre game tradition.
And RW, I can understand either Hard Rock or Landry's leaving, but I'd like to see them stay. I think Union Station is a great location for Hard Rock, a more iconic (for lack of a better term) chain restaurant that is really geared towards tourists. I've never been to Landry's, but like I said, my brother goes there before every Blues game. It's a nice little district convenient for Blues games between Hard Rock, Landry's, Maggie O's, and Lombardo's for a more upscale pre game tradition.