Negotiations under way for world’s largest ferris wheel on Staten Island

A plan to boost tourism on Staten Island could result in the world’s largest Ferris Wheel next to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal, the Staten Island Advance reported. The New York City Economic Development Corp. is currently in negotiations with developer Plaza Capital Group Management to build the 600-foot “observation wheel” it proposed last year. The EDC had put out a request for expressions of interest for multiple projects meant to develop 14 acres of city-owned waterfront property in the borough.

The proposed wheel would occupy one of two parking lots on either side of the Staten Island Yankees stadium. However, a deal has yet to be reached and the EDC is still looking at other bids, according to the Wall Street Journal.

“We received several compelling responses to the RFEI and are in active negotiations with multiple respondents as we work toward unlocking the significant economic development potential of these two important sites on Staten Island’s North Shore,” Kyle Sklerov, EDC spokesperson, said.

If built, the wheel will be approximately 157 feet taller than the London Eye, a similar attraction that draws nearly 3.5 million visitors a year. The EDC hopes it would provide a similar burst of tourists to Staten Island, as 2 million visitors take the ferry annually, but most do so without spending time in the borough. [SI Advance] and [WSJ]