New York Wheel

In October 2008, developer Meir Laufer rode the London Eye and met with its lead engineer. He established a business relationship with them to bring a wheel to New York. On September 27, 2012, then-New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and then-New York Wheel CEO Richard Marin announced a deal to build the wheel at the St. George Waterfront District.{{cite web|url=https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304870304577489153434946074|title=Ferris Wheel Eyed for Ferry Terminal|first=Eliot|last=Brown|date=June 26, 2012|work=WSJ|access-date=April 11, 2016}}

Construction of the wheel was supposed to run from early 2014 to 2015.{{cite web|date=September 28, 2012|url=http://www.smh.com.au/travel/worlds-tallest-observation-wheel-to-tower-over-new-york-20120928-26p7a.html|title=World's tallest observation wheel to tower over New York|work=Traveller|access-date=April 11, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929234508/http://www.smh.com.au/travel/worlds-tallest-observation-wheel-to-tower-over-new-york-20120928-26p7a.html|archive-date=September 29, 2012}}{{cite news|last=Goldman |first=Henry |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-09-27/world-s-biggest-ferris-wheel-will-anchor-staten-island-complex.html |title=World's Biggest Ferris Wheel Will Anchor Staten Island Complex |newspaper=Bloomberg.com |date=September 27, 2012 |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=September 27, 2012}} It was pushed back several times. In April 2013, it was reported to be July 4, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/wheeler_dealer_si_ferris_lawsuit_Kyswo9pwkPbyEJ90QIKjsI|title=Wheeler-dealer SI Ferris lawsuit|last=Marsh|first=Julia|date=April 3, 2013|work=New York Post|access-date=April 11, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/04/developer_staten_island_retail.html|title=Staten Island outlet mall planned near New York Wheel to include Nike, Adidas, Coach|work=SILive.com|last=Randall|first=Judy L.|date=April 25, 2013|access-date=April 11, 2016}} On June 12, 2013, construction was approved by Staten Island Community Board 1,{{cite web|date=June 12, 2013|title=Staten Island Ferris wheel approved by community board|url=https://abc7ny.com/archive/9136040/|publisher=WABC TV|access-date=June 12, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102092202/http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/new_york&id=9136040|archive-date=November 2, 2013}}{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/new-york-wheel-plans-rolling-staten-island-article-1.1370890 |title=Massive Ferris wheel gets board approval |first=Casey |last=Tolan |work=NY Daily News |date=June 12, 2013}} and on October 30 it was also approved by New York City Council, with construction to start in early 2014{{cite web |url=http://newyorkwheel.com/project-schedule/ |title=Project Schedule | Official Site of the New York Wheel |access-date=May 21, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521163845/http://newyorkwheel.com/project-schedule/ |archive-date=May 21, 2014 }} and a grand opening planned for 2016,{{cite web|date=October 31, 2013|title=Giant Staten Island Ferris wheel approved by city council|url=https://abc7ny.com/archive/9307475/|publisher=WABC TV|access-date=October 31, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629082737/http://abc7ny.com/archive/9307475/|archive-date=June 29, 2017}} but as of October 2014, construction was planned to start in early 2015 with an opening date for early 2017. On December 11, 2014, state economic development officials excluded the proposal from a list of 824 projects selected for state funding under a regional economic development program, saying it would not provide the overall economic benefit needed to qualify, however a spokesman for the project said it would continue to move forward. By August 2016, the Ferris wheel was estimated to open in early 2018,{{cite web|url=http://ny.curbed.com/2016/8/17/12521614/staten-island-new-york-wheel-delayed|title=Staten Island's observation wheel pushes opening date to 2018|last=Sugar|first=Rachel|date=August 17, 2016|website=Curbed NY|access-date=December 3, 2017}}{{cite web|last=Farinacci|first=Amanda|date=August 8, 2016|url=http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2016/08/8/new-york-wheel-project-on-staten-island-also-bringing-new-activity-to-brooklyn-waterfront.html|title=New York Wheel Project on Staten Island Also Bringing New Activity to Brooklyn Waterfront|website=NY1|access-date=December 3, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/08/first_ride_on_the_ny_wheel_now.html|title=First ride on New York Wheel pushed back to April 2018|first=Tracey|last=Porpora|date=August 15, 2016|work=Staten Island Advance|access-date=August 16, 2016}} and by March, the proposed completion date was late 2019.{{cite web | title=If the shoe fits: Crocs takes space at Staten Island discount mall | website=Crain's New York Business | last=Geiger | first=Daniel | date=March 21, 2018 | url=http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20180321/REAL_ESTATE/180329960/if-the-shoe-fits-crocs-takes-space-at-staten-island-discount-mall | access-date=September 11, 2018}}

In January 2016, The Real Deal, citing mounting lawsuits by infighting members, ran an article skeptical about the project: "Is the New York Wheel spinning out of control?"{{cite web|title = Is the New York Wheel spinning out of control?|url = http://therealdeal.com/2016/01/20/is-the-new-york-wheel-spinning-out-of-control/|website = The Real Deal New York|access-date = January 25, 2016|first = Katherine|last = Clarke| date=January 20, 2016 }} In July 2017, the design and construction teams were fired{{cite web | title=Wheel of misfortune: New York Wheel project now "indefinitely delayed" | website=The Real Deal New York | date=July 13, 2017 | url=https://therealdeal.com/2017/07/13/new-york-wheel-project-now-indefinitely-delayed/ | access-date=September 11, 2018}}{{cite web | last=Wachs | first=Audrey | title=Construction on Staten Island's giant Ferris wheel may finally begin again | website=Archpaper.com | date=May 22, 2018 | url=https://archpaper.com/2018/05/construction-on-staten-islands-giant-ferris-wheel-may-finally-begin-again/ | access-date=September 11, 2018}} and construction was postponed indefinitely.{{cite web | last=Porpora | first=Tracey | title=NY Wheel project indefinitely delayed after firing contractor | website=Staten Island Advance| date=July 13, 2017 | url=http://www.silive.com/news/2017/07/ny_wheel_fires_its_main_contra.html | access-date=September 11, 2018}} The following month, New York Wheel LLC announced that it planned to engage American Bridge Company as the new contractor.{{Cite news|last=Porpora|first=Tracey|date=August 11, 2017|url=http://www.silive.com/news/2017/08/exclusive_ny_wheel_to_hire_las.html|title=Exclusive: NY Wheel to hire Las Vegas High Roller contractor| website=Staten Island Advance|access-date=December 19, 2017|language=en-US}}

Instead, the developers filed for bankruptcy in Delaware in December 2017.{{cite web | work=Wall Street Journal | title=Scurria's Take: New York Wheel Contractor Lands in Bankruptcy | last=Scurria | first=Andrew | date=December 13, 2017 | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/scurrias-take-new-york-wheel-contractor-lands-in-bankruptcy-1513197504 | access-date=September 11, 2018 |url-access=subscription}} As part of the bankruptcy agreement, developer New York Wheel LLC and contractor Mammoet-Starneth agreed to find funding by September 5, 2018, with the proviso that the project would be canceled if funding was not found before that date.{{cite web | title=Deal could restart stalled NYC Ferris wheel tourism project | website=NY Daily News | agency=Associated Press | date=August 30, 2018 | url=http://www.nydailynews.com/newswires/new-york/deal-restart-stalled-nyc-ferris-wheel-tourism-project-article-1.3987323 | access-date=September 11, 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911044807/http://www.nydailynews.com/newswires/new-york/deal-restart-stalled-nyc-ferris-wheel-tourism-project-article-1.3987323 |archive-date=September 11, 2018}}

In May 2018, the developers of the New York Wheel were given a last chance to obtain funding for the project. Per a ruling in Delaware bankruptcy court, the developers had 120 days, or until September 5, to find funding.{{cite web | last=Porpora | first=Tracey | title=Exclusive: NY Wheel strikes major deal; will it save the project? | website=Staten Island Advance| date=May 8, 2018 | url=http://www.silive.com/northshore/index.ssf/2018/05/court_agreement_could_make_or.html | access-date=September 11, 2018}} However, on September 7, 2018, it was announced that the New York Wheel would not receive $140 million in city funding.{{cite web | last=Walker | first=Ameena | title=Staten Island's New York Wheel won't get city funding | website=Curbed NY | date=September 7, 2018 | url=https://ny.curbed.com/2018/9/7/17831972/staten-island-new-york-wheel-funding-update | access-date=September 11, 2018}}{{cite web | title=Denial of NY Wheel funding has Chinese investors' families reeling | website=Spectrum News NY1 | New York City | date=September 8, 2018 | url=http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2018/09/08/ny-wheel-latest | access-date=September 11, 2018}} The delays caused concern among EB-5 visa investors, who would lose their visas if the project was not constructed.{{cite web|last1=Small|first1=Eddie| title=New York Wheel delays could spell disaster for project's EB-5 investors | website=The Real Deal New York | date=July 21, 2017 | url=https://therealdeal.com/2017/07/21/ny-wheel-delays-could-spell-disaster-for-projects-eb-5-investors/ | access-date=September 11, 2018}} An amendment to the bankruptcy court's ruling gave the developers a final 120-day extension to look for funding. If the developers did not get funding by January 2019, the project would be canceled and no further funding extensions would be given.{{cite web | last=Porpora | first=Tracey | title=Embattled NY Wheel: Court motion outlines last shot at mediation | website=Staten Island Advance| date=September 8, 2018 | url=https://www.silive.com/news/2018/09/ny_wheel_gets_january_extensio.html | access-date=September 11, 2018}} At the time, the developers were spending $400,000 a month to store the parts for the New York Wheel.{{cite web|url=http://www.silive.com/news/2018/04/post_2094.html|title=NY Wheel to continue to pay $495K for storage of wheel parts|last=Porpora|first=Tracey|date=April 7, 2018|website=SILive.com|access-date=October 24, 2018}}File:NY Big Wheel parking 2018-06-22.jpgOn September 21, 2018, mayor Bill de Blasio said that the now-$900-million project would not receive a bailout from the city because it was too risky to support the project with bonds. As such, the city would not support tax free status for a $380 million bond sale to complete the project.{{cite web | title=De Blasio: No bailout for Staten Island Ferris wheel project | website=New York Post | last=Calder | first=Rich | date=September 22, 2018 | url=https://nypost.com/2018/09/21/de-blasio-no-bail-out-for-staten-island-ferris-wheel-project/ | access-date=September 23, 2018}} Investors refused to proceed with construction without city support, and stated that it would allow the parts for the Ferris wheel to be auctioned off if the city did not provide funding.{{cite web | last=Porpora | first=Tracey | title=NY Wheel: Without the city, 'it's not going to happen' | website=SILive.com | date=September 21, 2018 | url=https://www.silive.com/news/2018/09/ny_wheel_investors_without_cit.html | access-date=September 23, 2018}} Subsequently, investors decided to cancel the project.{{cite web | title=Investors scrap Staten Island's giant Ferris wheel | website=ABC7 New York | date=September 21, 2018 | url=https://abc7ny.com/4301092/ | access-date=September 23, 2018}} At this point, investors had spent $450 million on the project.{{cite web | last=Grant | first=Peter | title=Effort to Bring Observation Wheel to New York Nears Futility | website=WSJ | date=September 21, 2018 | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/effort-to-bring-observation-wheel-to-new-york-nears-futility-1537488459 | access-date=September 23, 2018}} The official announcement of the project's cancellation was made the following month.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/23/nyregion/ferris-wheel-staten-island.html|title=A 630-Foot Ferris Wheel Meant to Boost Staten Island's Image Is No More|last=McGeehan|first=Patrick|date=October 23, 2018|website=The New York Times|access-date=October 24, 2018}}

However, the developers never terminated their lease with the city, which was still ongoing through November 2021. According to the lease agreement, the developers were to pay the city annually $1 million in rent, plus interest. though these would be deferred. By December 2018, the deferred payment amounted to $2.3 million.{{Cite web|url=https://www.silive.com/news/2018/12/exclusive-ny-wheel-must-pay-to-restore-site-according-to-lease.html|title=Exclusive: NY Wheel must pay to restore site, according to lease|last=Porpora|first=Tracey|date=2018-12-14|website=silive.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-30}} In May 2019, it was announced that the developers were seeking new investors for a smaller wheel on the site, and that the NYCEDC was in talks with potential investors.{{Cite web|url=https://www.silive.com/news/2019/05/sources-investors-trying-to-partner-with-large-corporation-to-build-smaller-ny-wheel.html|title=Sources: Investors trying to partner with large corporation to build smaller NY Wheel|last=Porpora|first=Tracey|date=2019-05-29|website=silive.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-30}}{{Cite web|last=Farinacci|first=Amanda|date=May 28, 2019|url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2019/05/28/new-york-wheel-could-be-built-in-scaled-down-versions-discussions-underway-for-possible-deal|title=NY1 Exclusive: NY Wheel Could be Built in Scaled-Down Form|website=www.ny1.com|language=en|access-date=2019-05-30}}{{Cite web|url=https://ny.curbed.com/2019/5/29/18643615/staten-island-new-york-wheel-revived-plans|title=Staten Island's doomed Ferris wheel could be revived in a smaller form|last=Plitt|first=Amy|date=2019-05-29|website=Curbed NY|access-date=2019-05-30}} In August, the Staten Island Advance reported that Wheel investors and EB-5 visa investors were "actively pursuing a smaller project more like the London Eye."{{cite web|url=https://www.silive.com/news/2019/08/sources-smaller-ny-wheel-plan-more-than-just-talk.html|title=Sources: Smaller NY Wheel plan 'more than just talk'|last=Porpora|first=Tracey|date=July 1, 2019|website=silive.com|access-date=August 20, 2019}}

In February of 2023, the Staten Island Advance reported the NYCEDC sent CanAm Enterprises, which is a sponsor of EB-5 regional center projects, a notice of lease termination on February 2 effectively ending any further development of the NY Wheel. The NYCEDC will now issue a request for proposals (RFP) for a new different project to be built on the site.{{cite web|url=https://www.silive.com/news/2023/02/exclusive-any-hope-of-a-smaller-ny-wheel-is-now-dead-nyc-terminates-lease.html|title=Exclusive: Any hope of a smaller NY Wheel is now dead; NYC terminates lease|website=silive.com|last=Porpora|first=Tracey|date=February 3, 2023|access-date=March 22, 2023}}

The designated designer and manufacturer was Mammoet-Starneth LLC, which had team members who worked on the London Eye. The New York Wheel was to have 36 passenger capsules (which were to be built by the Dutch company VDL Groep{{cite web|date=March 23, 2016|url=http://www.vdlgroep.com/?news/2490372/VDL+scores+mega+order+New+York+Wheel.aspx|title=VDL scores mega order New York Wheel|website=VDL Groep|access-date=April 11, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404075924/http://www.vdlgroep.com/?news/2490372/VDL+scores+mega+order+New+York+Wheel.aspx#.VwIe3i-l3BA|archive-date=April 4, 2016}}), each carrying up to 40 passengers, and a total maximum capacity of 1,440 people per ride. Bloomberg's office has expected up to 30,000 passengers per day and about 4.5 million per year.

The wheel was expected to create 400 construction jobs and 700 full-time jobs. Four large pedestals for the wheel arrived on site in November 2016.{{Cite news|url=http://abc7ny.com/news/exclusive-video-first-parts-of-new-york-wheel-arrive-on-staten-island/1401800/|title=Exclusive video: First parts of 'New York Wheel' arrive on Staten Island|date=June 26, 2016|newspaper=ABC7 New York|language=en-US|access-date=November 14, 2016}} Legs for the wheel arrived in spring 2018.{{Cite web | url=https://untappedcities.com/2016/10/05/legs-for-the-new-york-wheel-on-staten-island-worlds-tallest-arrive-in-brooklyn/ | title=500 Ton Legs for the New York Wheel on Staten Island, World's Tallest, Arrive in Brooklyn | date=October 5, 2016 |last=Young |first=Michelle |website=Untapped Cities}} Following the announcement of the Wheel's cancellation in late 2018, the completed portions of the wheel (namely its legs, drive towers, and capsules) were auctioned in January 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.silive.com/news/2018/12/auction-date-for-new-york-wheel-parts-has-been-set.html|title=Auction date for New York Wheel parts has been set|last=Porpora|first=Tracey|date=December 3, 2018|website=silive.com|access-date=December 13, 2018}}

The New York Wheel public parking garage opened on August 12, 2016. Planned to accommodate commuters using the Staten Island Ferry, this waterfront garage originally accommodated 820 vehicles, expanding to 950 spaces upon completion of construction.{{cite web|url=http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/06/ny_wheel_parking_garage_openei.html|title=New York Wheel parking garage opening is delayed|last=Porpora|first=Tracey|date=June 2, 2016|website=silive.com|access-date=August 16, 2016}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.6sqft.com/the-city-breaks-ground-on-new-yorks-630-foot-ferris-wheel-tomorrow/ The City Breaks Ground on New York’s 630-Foot Ferris Wheel Tomorrow!]
• [http://www.cityam.com/230442/challenger-acquisitions-shares-soar-to-lofty-heights-as-ferris-wheel-maker-re-lists-on-londons-main-market- Challenger Acquisitions shares soar to lofty heights as Ferris wheel maker relists on London's main market]
• [https://articles.silive.com/news/2017/12/ny_wheel_fired_contrator_files.amp After filing for bankruptcy, Mammoet-Starneth seeks freeze of NY Wheel lawsuit]

{{Ferris wheel}}

Category:Unbuilt Ferris wheels

Category:Unbuilt buildings and structures in New York City

Category:St. George, Staten Island