Historical Summer 2017 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
A 100-foot diameter Ferris wheel is proposed for the southeast corner of Delmar and Skinker in The Delmar Loop. Tony Sansone, Jr. and his son Michael Sansone of Sangita Capital Partners, and Todd Schneider of Pacific Development LLC kicked off the community engagement effort by presenting the plan to the Delmar Commercial Committee May 4.
They hope to add a family-friendly attraction to the walkable entertainment district.
This is the second big Ferris wheel proposal in the city in addition to one proposed for Union Station.
The wheel includes 20 fully-enclosed climate-controlled gondolas with capacity of six each. One ride would consist of four trips around, and your group wouldn’t be expected to ride with others.
They hope for 150,000 rides per year.
The site would include concessions including a beer garden.
The garden area would be flexible space.
They would seek a 1:30 AM liquor license.
The planned hours of operation of the wheel would be 12-10 PM Sunday through Thursday and 12-12 Friday and Saturday night.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day it would operate 12-12 daily as demand warranted.
The operator also operates Skyview Atlanta, a larger (20- story) Ferris wheel in Centennial Park.
They have signed a 10-year lease for the property and are not seeking tax incentives. Concerns about parking, distracting drivers, lighting, and height were expressed at the meeting.
The site plan shows 15 on-site parking spaces along the alley, and they are working on the possibility of using the New Cote Brilliante Church parking lot northwest of Skinker and Enright.
They reassured the committee that lighting would not be overwhelming. Its height would be between the 8-story Moonrise Hotel and the 14-story Everly apartment building. Dwarfing the church next door is a concern for some congregation members. Alderman Frank Williamson expressed his wholehearted support for the project and would welcome it to the 26th ward if this site (in the 28th ward) doesn’t work out. At a neighborhood meeting held May 30th at New Cote Brilliante Church similar concerns were aired.
The development team assured that only uplighting would be used on the neighborhood side of the wheel, and it would be turned off when not operating.
The wheel turns with electric motors which would be quiet. Any music would be directed at the dining area.
They would have 24-hour on-site security. One attendee had recently visited the wheel in Atlanta and thought it was great. Traffic congestion and parking worries were brought up by several neighbors.
The development team feels that the wheel won’t be a destination in and of itself, rather a part of the destination that is the Delmar Loop. Meaning they expect most patrons to ride the wheel in addition to partaking in other activities in the Loop.
The parcel is currently zoned F-Neighborhood Commercial which has a height limit of three stories and 50 feet.
The Ferris wheel would require a variance.
It is within the Skinker-DeBaliviere-Catlin TractParkview Historic District.
The Delmar Link Area Redevelopment Plan ordinance applies as well.
The almost 4-year vacant site is shown in the Skinker DeBaliviere Neighborhood plan as a traditional building replacing the boarded-up 45-year-old fast food building. Michael Sansone said the owner of the property refuses to sell at a price that makes such a development feasible.
The Ferris wheel would certainly contribute more to the tax base. Schneider said the project would cost about $4M.
Another consideration is the tension between adding land uses that attract more people to the Loop from outside the immediate area and those that serve residents and workers on Delmar and in adjacent neighborhoods. Or the desire for more family-friendly activities nearby. Or land uses that enhance walkability to foster car-optional living versus those that attract more cars. For example Skinker DeBaliviere lacks senior-compatible housing.
This site could have a building with an elevator and would be within walking distance to necessities and transit to other parts of the city (like medical services in the CWE). Accommodating less parking would make the rents more affordable. Comments are welcome to the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council. Comments may be addressed to SDCC at 862-5122 or emailed to Brandon Sterling, Executive Director, at brandon.sterling@skinkerdebaliviere.com.
There will be a meeting of the Delmar Commercial Committee July 19th at noon at the SDCC office to decide whether the committee will recommend support to the full SDCC.
The neighborhood has a lot of sway as to whether this happens. Do we wait for something meeting the desires expressed in the neighborhood plan for the site for an unknown amount of time or remove the current eyesore and activate this property now?
Original photograph caption
More than 100 neighbors at New Cote Brilliante Church on May 30 to discuss proposed Ferris wheel.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, Summer 2017.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2017_06.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
