Omaha ferris wheel?

[Guest]

According to a couple of my sources with the IAAPA, someone from Omaha just recently purchased a 34 meter ferris wheel with 24 gondolas.   I was told that it's a permanent park model, not one that is portable and gets moved from town to town.    Any idea where this thing might be going?   Fun Plex maybe?

[iamjacobm]

Maybe the city is getting a move on the proposed "Aksarben Yard" park.

[Linkin5]

I have always thought a permanent ferris wheel on the riverfront would be cool.

[iamjacobm]

If someone really bought one of that size I would be shocked to see it at Fun Plex.  34 meters is pretty damn big.

[the1wags]

As iamjacobm noted, there was one of these planned for "Aksarben Yard" by the Durham.

Personally, I think that one on the riverfront down in the ped bridge to Rick's area would be great. I think the thing would be a big hit down there.

[the1wags]

PS. Just for kicks I went into Google Earth and got an approximation of the view a 34 meter ferris wheel would provide if it were located south of Rick's. DO IT OMAHA!!!

[Guest]

I also was kind of thinking that a 34 meter wheel would be pretty tall for Fun Plex, but never thought about the river front area.   That would be pretty cool.   I would think buying one of those things would be pretty pricey.     I'm not sure how much profit could be made by the time you buy or rent a place to erect it, you pay the utility bilsl, the insurance, the employees to run it, etc..   I'm not sure there is enough traffic down on the riverfront to keep 24 gondolas full.    Maybe at first, it might be a big hit, but not sure.   Personally, I think it would be more cool to have some kind of observation tower, like Omaha's own version of the Space Needle.   Just imagine the views you would get.   Of course, now you're really talking expensive.    I'm betting this ferris wheel either ends up on the riverfront, at a casino across the river, or it's part of a retail center like Village Point or whatever project happens out at Crossroads.

[jessep28]

Omaha should compete with London and build a ferris wheel bigger than the London Eye which stands at 135 meters.

[Omaha_Gabe]

call me weird but i have always dreamed that the zoo would have a large ferris wheel as well as other rides.. turning into a Bush Gardens type of park.

[joeglow]

Papa's Park????

[derog]

As iamjacobm noted, there was one of these planned for "Aksarben Yard" by the Durham.

Personally, I think that one on the riverfront down in the ped bridge to Rick's area would be great. I think the thing would be a big hit down there.

There's a conceptual drawing about halfway though this: http://www.cityofomaha.org/planning/dow ... 0Part2.pdf

[Guest]

Alright, the "revenue-generating" items like a convention center/arena, CWS stadium, etc, are one thing, but a giant novelty item like a ferris wheel? I thought for sure the city was having budget problems, not to mention massive unfunded pension liabilities, AND a sewer separation project, so I really hope the city isn't buying a giant ferris wheel. (but I wouldn't be surprised)

[nebugeater]

Where has it said anywhere that it was a city purchase?

Alright, the "revenue-generating" items like a convention center/arena, CWS stadium, etc, are one thing, but a giant novelty item like a ferris wheel? I thought for sure the city was having budget problems, not to mention massive unfunded pension liabilities, AND a sewer separation project, so I really hope the city isn't buying a giant ferris wheel. (but I wouldn't be surprised)

[byrdrules]

Where has it said anywhere that it was a city purchase?

Also, where did it say that it wouldn't generate revenue?

[charlie123]

It would be awesome to see it built (set-up) down by the ped bridge downtown...it would make the sky-line look even better at night too with all of the lights, etc.   I think it would get a ton more business too being stand-alone where lots of people pass by on foot.

[Seth]

It would be awesome to see it built (set-up) down by the ped bridge downtown...it would make the sky-line look even better at night too with all of the lights, etc.   I think it would get a ton more business too being stand-alone where lots of people pass by on foot.

I wonder if they could keep the lights working on the ferris wheel?

[Linkin5]

It would be awesome to see it built (set-up) down by the ped bridge downtown...it would make the sky-line look even better at night too with all of the lights, etc.   I think it would get a ton more business too being stand-alone where lots of people pass by on foot.

I wonder if they could keep the lights working on the ferris wheel?

Hehe I see what you did there.

[Guest]

You just never know where this ferris wheel could end up.   This is where a ferris wheel is going up in Sioux Falls...

A Sioux Falls sporting goods store is planning a $25 million expansion.

It will include a Ferris wheel, a bowling alley, a shooting range and a restaurant.

Scheels chief executive officer Steve Scheel announced the plan in Sioux Falls on Friday. He says the goal is to make the store "the Disneyland of sporting goods." He says construction will start Sept. 1, and the project will be done in two phases. The store will be expanding to the south and doubling its present size.

The store will be adding 200,000 square feet on two floors. Scheel says the project should be done by the fall of 2014.

Scheels is based in Fargo, N.D. It has 24 stores in 10 states, including North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota.

[Guest]

yeah...we've had one of those in our scheels for 8 years...

[Uffda]

The Sioux Falls store was one of the Scheels stores that had the large (fake) tree inside instead of a ferris wheel. This store was built before Omaha's

[BrianPapillion]

I remember reading in one of the IAAPA publications a few months ago about a couple of guys from Lincoln and a couple from Omaha who have been buying up rides and were looking at building a small amusement park.   I will have to see if I can find the article again.    As I recall, there was some mention about the Arnold's Park Amusement Park by Okoboji and how they wanted to try to recreate the same kind of park here....a little old fashioned and very family friendly.    Don't be expecting some crazy roller coasters, but I could see where a ferris wheel would fit into that kind of park.

[Linkin5]

I remember reading in one of the IAAPA publications a few months ago about a couple of guys from Lincoln and a couple from Omaha who have been buying up rides and were looking at building a small amusement park.   I will have to see if I can find the article again.    As I recall, there was some mention about the Arnold's Park Amusement Park by Okoboji and how they wanted to try to recreate the same kind of park here....a little old fashioned and very family friendly.    Don't be expecting some crazy roller coasters, but I could see where a ferris wheel would fit into that kind of park.

Is Steve Minard back in action?

[BrianPapillion]

No, it was NOT Steve Minard.   I doubt that we will ever see anything from him.   I still check out his Port Nebraska web site whenever I need a good laugh.  Like I said, I will have to see if I can dig up the article, but from the way it sounded they are just looking at opening a small amusement park, similar to the park up at the Iowa Great Lakes.   I don't think they are looking at anything to compete with Adventureland, Worlds of Fun, or the proposed Wonderful Fantasy World of Steve Minard.    I think it's more likely to be a small park with maybe a few dozen carnival type rides.  I'd like to see a roller coaster just as much as anyone else, but I highly doubt we will be seeing anything other than the one at Fun Plex anytime soon.

[BrianPapillion]

I've looked and looked and haven't been able to relocate the article.   My wife sometimes throws out some of my magazines and that may have been in one of them she tossed.  I've been looking for the story on the IAAPA's member web site, but haven't found it there either.   I emailed them and asked if they would email me the story.   As soon as I hear back from them, I will post it.

[Stargazer]

I'm guessing you're thinking of these people (I believe related to the original owners of Peony Park? can't recall relationship)... who were said to be accumulating lighting/benches/etc from the old Peony Park, hosting weddings/company parties/etc... but were eventually hoping to replicate a Peony Park like amusement park.  Their property is out by Wahoo... not sure if they're even currently doing business or not.

http://www.peonyparkinc.com/

[drsunu1994]

the Ferris wheel happened to be included in the new Downtown Master Plan as well.

http://www.newpartners.org/2010/docs/pr ... jensen.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[RNcyanide]

Out of the hundred or so things/artistic flourishes mentioned or depicted in any explanation or image in the Master Plan, maybe 5-10 will ever make it to production. See the 1974 Master Plan. It gave us the GLM, but it also called for UNO's presence downtown, a coliseum-like building where CLC is, and 'Marina City' where HoAP and CAG is located. I wouldn't take any of it too seriously, but if it happens it happens.

[Garrett]

Out of the hundred or so things/artistic flourishes mentioned or depicted in any explanation or image in the Master Plan, maybe 5-10 will ever make it to production. See the 1974 Master Plan. It gave us the GLM, but it also called for UNO's presence downtown, a coliseum-like building where CLC is, and 'Marina City' where HoAP and CAG is located. I wouldn't take any of it too seriously, but if it happens it happens.

Agreed, master plans are more for motivation and steering, they very rarely turn into literal things. Although, a ferris wheel would go well with the district shaping down there.

[RNcyanide]

Out of the hundred or so things/artistic flourishes mentioned or depicted in any explanation or image in the Master Plan, maybe 5-10 will ever make it to production. See the 1974 Master Plan. It gave us the GLM, but it also called for UNO's presence downtown, a coliseum-like building where CLC is, and 'Marina City' where HoAP and CAG is located. I wouldn't take any of it too seriously, but if it happens it happens.

Agreed, master plans are more for motivation and steering, they very rarely turn into literal things. Although, a ferris wheel would go well with the district shaping down there.

Indeed it would.

[Guest]

i'd prefer a roller coaster, personally

[PotatoeEatsFish]

I guess someone was lying about the ferris wheel after all .

[Greg S]

I guess someone was lying about the ferris wheel after all .

Lying?

Greg

[RNcyanide]

The ferris wheel (assuming you are referring to HDR's 2030 downtown master plan) was probably meant to be an embellishment. That whole thing has basically gone out the window anyway. Wallstreet Tower was still a thing when that plan was made.

[PotatoeEatsFish]

It would be amazing if they made a giant ferris wheel like the London Eye but I know thats not possible here.

That spot seems perfect for a monument though, can a city apply for a national monument?

[RNcyanide]

It would be amazing if they made a giant ferris wheel like the London Eye but I know thats not possible here.

That spot seems perfect for a monument though, can a city apply for a national monument?

It would have to be for something or someone that made that particular location notable. We did lynch the mayor two or three times, lynched a black man and burned the courthouse to the ground in the 20s, probably around that location.

[bigredmed]

It would be amazing if they made a giant ferris wheel like the London Eye but I know thats not possible here.

That spot seems perfect for a monument though, can a city apply for a national monument?

It would have to be for something or someone that made that particular location notable. We did lynch the mayor two or three times, lynched a black man and burned the courthouse to the ground in the 20s, probably around that location.

We could build it in North Omaha to honor the memory of the Transmississippi Exposition. That way cops could ride it and get a high vantage point to spot the shooters.

[PotatoeEatsFish]

Maybe they could build one to the tribe that is the namesake of the city. Just make it a memorial to all the Indian tribes the pioneers pretty much just got rid of.

[RNcyanide]

Maybe they could build one to the tribe that is the namesake of the city. Just make it a memorial to all the Indian tribes the pioneers pretty much just got rid of.

That would mean that the government would have to admit that they |expletive| up on something...

[bigredmed]

Maybe they could build one to the tribe that is the namesake of the city. Just make it a memorial to all the Indian tribes the pioneers pretty much just got rid of.

That would mean that the government would have to admit that they |expletive| up on something...

To be completely accurate, the Pawnee conquered the Omaha and pushed them north and out of Omaha. By the time of the Mormon trail, they were in charge and rented river bottom land to trappers and the Mormons. When white settlement came to CB, the founders of Omaha, the Council Buffs-Nebraska ferry boat company, rented on a lease the land from the Pawnee. Eventually, the Pawnee entered into a peace treaty with the US and gave up the claim to Omaha city and the surrounding area and by this time, the disease riddled Omaha's were to few and too weak to take on the Pawnee and the US, so they stayed north.

We could make a memorial to the Pawnee, but we already have Rawhide creek.