SkyView Atlanta Plans a new ride Downtown - Taller than the Ferris Wheel (hotel, casino)

[AtlantaIsHot]

I hope they don't take this too far though... Atl isn't Vegas and shouldn't try to be. This reeks of another big-city boondoggle to try and get attention by desperate measures rather than promoting the city and seeing it for what it is. I've never been much of a fan of gimmicks.

But I suppose it will be OK. Centennial Olympic Park shouldn't become an amusement park though...

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by AtlantaIsHot

I hope they don't take this too far though... Atl isn't Vegas and shouldn't try to be. This reeks of another big-city boondoggle to try and get attention by desperate measures rather than promoting the city and seeing it for what it is. I've never been much of a fan of gimmicks.

But I suppose it will be OK. Centennial Olympic Park shouldn't become an amusement park though...

The city is not funding any part of this or the ferris wheel before. The just renewed the contractor with the operator.
Atlanta is the #4 for summer vacations in 2015.

The tourists are coming and they want our trains

The Travel Pulse website has some interesting info on transit usage from a new survey. About 89 million Americans are planning to use public transit at their domestic-travel destinations this year – a whopping 24 percent increase over the numbers for 2014. Here’s a quote:

According to the American Public Transportation Association’s annual “Travel Like a Local” Summer Travel Survey, more than half (57 percent) of the more than 156 million Americans expected to visit a U.S. city this summer plan to utilize public transportation at one time or another.

But the most interesting part is the destinations those travelers have chosen. The survey reports that the most popular U.S. cities for summer vacation this year are:

1. New York
2. Chicago
3. Los Angeles
4. Atlanta
5. Las Vegas

We beat Las Vegas? Look at us! The tourists are coming, Atlanta, and they want to ride MARTA. With our public transit system being such an important part of our economy, influencing job relocations and vacation decisions (with all of the local spending that brings), how is it that we still lack state support for MARTA operations? Follow the money, state leaders. It’s time to support the transit system that supports your economy.

- See more at: ATL Urbanist

ATL Urbanist

[ATLTJL]

Bring it.

An amusement park is much better than what it is now. At least people stay at amusement parks after dark.

[afdinatl]

Originally Posted by AtlantaIsHot

I hope they don't take this too far though... Atl isn't Vegas and shouldn't try to be. This reeks of another big-city boondoggle to try and get attention by desperate measures rather than promoting the city and seeing it for what it is. I've never been much of a fan of gimmicks.

But I suppose it will be OK. Centennial Olympic Park shouldn't become an amusement park though...

What? Just because a new ride is coming downtown now that means Atlanta is trying to be Vegas? So I guess if Waffle House opens up a location in Minot, ND that Minot is trying to become Atlanta?

[AtlantaIsHot]

Originally Posted by cqholt

The city is not funding any part of this or the ferris wheel before. The just renewed the contractor with the operator.
Atlanta is the #4 for summer vacations in 2015.

ATL Urbanist

Doesn't matter to me. The city should still control what development takes place and what doesn't, that's the whole point of "city planning."

I'm glad Atlanta gets tourists but I still don't think it should turn into a gimmicky joke either. There's amusement parks in the area already plus a zoo and an aquarium very close... Art, culture, food, people living and working, small businesses, children playing, and adults going about daily life are the lifeblood of a city, not tourist-traps IMHO... But I will withhold judgment until I've at least seen pictures.

[AtlantaIsHot]

Originally Posted by ATLTJL

Bring it.

An amusement park is much better than what it is now. At least people stay at amusement parks after dark.

You actually WANT the Olympic Park to become an amusement park??? Really?

People stay at amusement parks because they are relatively safe. People stay at parks for the same reasons. If Atl wants people to remain at night, they need to be safe. The residents need to use it large numbers, just like they did at Central Park in NYC. It used to be mostly a hangout for muggers and rapists until the people got tired of it.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by AtlantaIsHot

Doesn't matter to me. The city should still control what development takes place and what doesn't, that's the whole point of "city planning."

I'm glad Atlanta gets tourists but I still don't think it should turn into a gimmicky joke either. There's amusement parks in the area already plus a zoo and an aquarium very close... Art, culture, food, people living and working, small businesses, children playing, and adults going about daily life are the lifeblood of a city, not tourist-traps IMHO... But I will withhold judgment until I've at least seen pictures.

SkyView is quality entertainment and not a tourist trap. If the owners want to bring another ride that will occupy a surface parking lot, generate more tax money than that lot, and meets all the necessary zoning I see no issue in the project.

[AtlantaIsHot]

Originally Posted by afdinatl

What? Just because a new ride is coming downtown now that means Atlanta is trying to be Vegas? So I guess if Waffle House opens up a location in Minot, ND that Minot is trying to become Atlanta?

That's not my meaning. I said TAKEN TOO FAR and it's a little too much "Vegas" not literally Atl trying to turn into Vegas.

[AtlantaIsHot]

Originally Posted by cqholt

SkyView is quality entertainment and not a tourist trap. If the owners want to bring another ride that will occupy a surface parking lot, generate more tax money than that lot, and meets all the necessary zoning I see no issue in the project.

I NEVER said anything about the ferris wheel being a tourist trap. Don't put words in my mouth I don't say. I said these things can be taken too far and I stand by it. TOO FAR being the key words. Nuance is a virtue.

And I said I would withhold judgment until I've seen the finished product if and when it comes to be.

[afdinatl]

Originally Posted by AtlantaIsHot

I NEVER said anything about the ferris wheel being a tourist trap. Don't put words in my mouth I don't say. I said these things can be taken too far and I stand by it. TOO FAR being the key words. Nuance is a virtue.

And I said I would withhold judgment until I've seen the finished product if and when it comes to be.

US Thrill Rides - Polercoaster™