DENVER (KDVR) — The 16th Street Mall Project is nearing an end with several blocks filled with new retailers, patios and trees, but a local non-profit sees a bigger vision — one that includes a 500-foot-tall Ferris wheel.
New Downtown Denver, a Denver-based private investigations firm, has proposed several visions to revitalize the city, with one idea including a gondola system on 16th Street. However, that isn’t the non-profit’s only idea for downtown Denver.
Ryan Ross, the director of New Downtown Denver, said the firm is also looking into a Ferris wheel known as the “Rocky Mountain Eye.”
Rocky Mountain Eye renderings (Courtesy of New Downtown Denver) 
Rocky Mountain Eye renderings (Courtesy of New Downtown Denver) 
Rocky Mountain Eye renderings (Courtesy of New Downtown Denver) 
Rocky Mountain Eye renderings (Courtesy of New Downtown Denver) 
Rocky Mountain Eye renderings (Courtesy of New Downtown Denver)
The idea is to get a bird’s eye view of downtown, the foothills and the mountain ranges outside of the city with a 500-foot-tall Ferris wheel. The Ferris wheel would be rotating at 2 mph with 30 glass-encased cabins that hold 25 people in each unit.
The wheel would run year-round, with heated cabins in the winter and themed cabins for each season. Tickets would be $29 per passenger per loop, $49 for three loops and weekly, monthly and annual passes. There would also be options for private cabins for parties and weddings.
The firm wants this Ferris wheel on 16th Street, between Commons Park and the Millennium Bridge. It would be surrounded by a pavilion with coffee, ice cream and souvenirs. The firm suggested this place for more family-friendly entertainment that would attract new visitors and “put Denver back on the entertainment map.”
Ross said they’ve spoken to the firm that operates the famous London Eye, along with a firm that builds them. However, there’s only so much they can do, as the city owns the land.
“Mayor Johnston has indicated by his actions that he wants to play small-ball with downtown. That’s why we’re stepping up,” Ross said.
This is one part of the bigger project for the firm.
Ross said there are three major plans for downtown, which include Wynkoop Crossing in the Ball Arena parking lot, River-Mile at Elitch’s and the new Broncos Stadium, but “Johnston isn’t matching that vision.”
“We want to call attention to the kinds of big-picture developments that city can implement at no cost because they generate millions in revenues and private developers will provide the financing and do the heavy lifting in return for the profits,” said Ross.
Ross said private firms will bid on the right to construct and operate the Ferris wheel, “if the city invites proposals.” Ross said this is possible because they’ve already received an offer from a transportation development company to raise money for the gondola system, which is part of the Ferris wheel design that allows passengers to get to and from the Rocky Mountain Eye.
FOX31 reached out to the city of Denver and is awaiting a response.
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
