STATEN ISLAND — The world's largest Ferris wheel could soon tower over the Staten Island ferry terminal.
A huge wheel offering views across the bay to Manhattan is being discussed by the New York City Economic Development Corporation and a construction company. It would fill a patch of land in St. George, close to the ferry, the Staten Island Advance reported.
It would be about 600 feet tall — larger than the famous London Eye and the world's tallest Ferris wheel, the Singapore Flyer, the Advance reported.
The Staten Island wheel would be built on two parking lots near the ferry terminal. The EDC advertised the possibility of building on the lots in August when it formally issued an RFEI — Request for Expressions of Interest.
An EDC spokesman could not comment on specific responses to the RFEIs or the Ferris wheel, but said they received several interesting proposals for the site.
"We received several compelling responses to the RFEI and are in active negotiations with multiple respondents as we work towards unlocking the significant economic development potential of these two important sites on Staten Island’s North Shore," spokesman Kyle Sklerov said.
The two sites currently serve as parking for the Richmond County Bank Ball Park and the ferry terminal. The goal is to maintain the current number of parking spaces — possibly by relocating them — and could add more public spaces.
The observation wheel would hopefully tempt the more than 2 million tourists who ride the ferry every year to disembark, rather than hop a ride straight back to Manhattan.
Other plans for the 14 acres of waterfront property include high-end shopping outlets, the Advance reported.
The proposed Staten Island wheel would be built in a similar fashion to the London Eye, which is 443 feet tall, and the Singapore Flyer, which is 541 feet tall.
Both wheels take about 30 minutes per trip around, feature air-conditioned passanger cars and have luxury dining options.
