[NYguy]

http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf...ficials_o.html

Staten Island officials on board for the Ferris wheel ride

June 26, 2012
By Jillian Jorgensen

The plan for a giant Ferris wheel on city-owned property on the North Shore would require City Council approval -- and at least two of the borough's councilmembers are enthusiastic about the project. "My initial reaction is that this project is unique and quirky enough to actually get people off the ferry and to Staten Island," Councilman James Oddo (R-Mid-Island) said.

For years, Oddo said, people have been asking how to get the 2 million tourists who ride the ferry annually to spend some time in the borough, instead of just turning right back for Manhattan.

"I guess the word is funny, that after all the thinking and all the 'how do we do it?', a Ferris wheel is the answer," Oddo said. He said in addition to luring tourists -- especially those from Europe, who typically spend a good deal of money during their trips to the Big Apple -- the wheel could become Staten Island's answer to the Cyclone in Coney Island. "I think it's got a chance to really become iconic," Oddo said.

http://www.silive.com/northshore/ind...est_ferri.html

The two sites are currently used as parking lots for the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George, and the St. George Ferry Terminal. But baseball lovers and ferry commuters, fear not: The RFEI calls for all publicly available parking to be replaced during the development, and for new parking to be added, if necessary.

The parcel where the Ferris wheel is being considered is located between the Postcards Memorial and Jersey Street. The other parcel put out for an RFEI, is closer to the ferry terminal, located between it and the ballpark. For that site, upscale shopping outlets have been proposed by another company, and would be built on a platform above a parking lot, according to the source. The towering wheel proposed for the waterfront would be designed in the same vein as giants like the London Eye, 443 feet tall, and the Singapore Flyer, which is the tallest at 541 feet. Both are very popular tourist attractions.

The London Eye (or the EDF Energy London Eye, as it’s currently named for a corporate sponsor) is located on the banks of the Thames River, and boasts 32 air-conditioned passenger capsules, each of which can carry 25 people. A trip around the wheel takes about 30 minutes, and the wheel doesn’t stop — riders step into the gondolas as they move, like a ski lift. Capsules are available to rent for private parties — including a wedding package that allows the bride, groom and 19 guests to take two consecutive rides and pop a bottle of champagne on the way down. Standard adult tickets are 15 pounds sterling (around $23). If you want to skip the lines — and aren’t sure what day you want to visit — a priority boarding flexible ticket costs 31.50 pounds (approximately $49). Those who want a longer ride and a drink can opt for the 40 Pound Vinopolis Wine Tasting Experience ($62) — an hourlong ride that features five wine tastings.

The Singapore Flyer takes the gourmet Ferris wheel experience even further, offering full butler sky dining for $299 a couple — that pays for two rotations, or about an hourlong ride; and four courses of food with dessert, coffee and tea served in the capsule. The current menu offers a chicken, fish, lamb and vegetarian option for the main courses, and an Oreo cheesecake for dessert. Wine pairings cost extra.

Both of those wheels attract millions of tourists annually — the London Eye carries 3.5 million visitors a year. The wheel here could have a built-in audience: The Staten Island Ferry carries 2 million tourists annually, most of whom get back on the boat without spending any time in the borough.