Can World's Largest Ferris Wheel Be a 'Game Changer' for Staten Island?

The centerpiece of a proposed $500 million retail and hotel project that aims to "bring new life and economic opportunity" to Staten Island, plans for the 625-foot New York Wheel were announced by Mayor Michael Bloomberg this week.

1 minute read

September 29, 2012, 11:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Speaking with his trademark understatement, Bloomberg declared on Thursday that, "The New York Wheel will be an attraction unlike any other in New York
City – even unlike any other on the planet." But will it be enough to get tourists to set foot on Staten Island?

According to Henry Goldman and Esmé E. Deprez, reporting in Bloomberg, in addition to the Wheel, which be designed and manufactured by the team that built the London Eye, "BFC Partners, a Brooklyn-based developer, will construct
Harbor Commons, a 350,000-square-foot retail complex featuring
100 designer outlets and restaurants and a 200-room, 120,000-
square-foot hotel south of the [adjacent minor league] ballpark, where an affiliate of
the New York Yankees plays."

"The complex will generate $480 million in private
investment and create more than 1,200 construction jobs and
1,100 permanent ones, the mayor's office said."

 

Thursday, September 27, 2012 in Los Angeles Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

May 1 - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

May 1 - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

May 1 - Newsweek

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.