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(46 votes) 10:13 pm
September 21, 2010
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aquaman said
Why do people think this is related to permit parking? Was permit parking mentioned anywhere in the proposal? Was permit parking mentioned during tonight's meeting? Why are people confusing the question of the giant Ferris Wheel at the end of Windward by bringing up permit parking?
So far, this has nothing to do with permit parking so let it go.
However, the more this idea gets discussed, the more it sinks in how freaking gigantic this thing is. It's going to take up most of the free space at the end of Windward, leaving almost no room to walk there at all. It's 200 feet tall. By my rough estimate, that's twice the size of the building that houses Danny's Deli, or more. How much ground space is required to safely operate this thing? This giant Ferris Wheel will block all views of the beach from the ground. It will dominate both the ground and sky and it will be all anyone sees once it's there.
Put it in up near Rose or down near Venice Blvd., in a less congested area. Or screw it altogether.
Residential permit parking is a concession that was discussed several times at the meeting as a possible approval condition (new Coastal Commission regime is in place since the last smackdown).. The footprint was claimed to be 60 by 90 feet once and 75 by 90 feet another time by the spokesman. 90% of the wheel is well above peoples heads and normal viewscape, not lower than the ground level. I agree, BTW, that the Venice blvd or Rose lots (and yes, even Washington, which has 440V 3 phase main service) would be much easier to manage logistically: tour busses with reserved start times could pull right up to deal with the parking and traffic issues. Its all in details as to whether I support it or not.
11:36 pm
June 16, 2009
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There is so much real work to be done in Venice. What a shame the idiots are in charge.
12:11 am
May 19, 2010
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Ms. Venice said
aquaman, I think the Rose parking lot has suffered long enough
Yeah, alright. Fair enough…
Chessy Peake said
Residential permit parking is a concession that was discussed several times at the meeting as a possible approval condition
Did the Ferris Wheel salesmen sing "there's trouble in river city" and try to sell us some band equipment too? Because permit parking isn't gonna solve half the problems that this thing creates at the end of Windward…
12:18 am
June 20, 2007
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rickgarvey said
and then I looked at their wikipedia page:
Post updated.
6:29 am
January 25, 2012
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That thing looks like a disaster movie just waiting to happen.
9:45 am
February 12, 2010
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What are the odds that somebody is making some money just to push this thing through?
Hmmmm….follow the money.
10:03 am
October 15, 2009
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zappaman said
What are the odds that somebody is making some money just to push this thing through?
Hmmmm….follow the money.
Odds? I'd say they're 100% on about making money for both the concessionaire and the city. That's no secret so there's no conspiracy which for some may come as a disappointment. The concessionaire is pushing for it just like anyone else in business to make a buck.
The questions are:
Money aside, is the net effect of this concession going to be positive or negative?
Does Venice need and or want another tourist attraction?
Tin foil hats, anyone?
I'm salty and that's what keeps me spicy ©
10:53 am
February 10, 2011
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Here's a Google Earth file I knocked up with a 200 foot high Ferris wheel in the approximate location. It's the wrong type of wheel, but it's about the right size. The area of grass I put it on is 210 feet long, and I just eyeballed the scale.
11:02 am
February 24, 2010
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These photo mock-ups are great. Thanks, Mick.
BTW, the representative of the Ferris wheel firm said the base is 25x20 meters, which translates to roughly 75x60 feet. I don't know if this includes all their staging areas, such as a section for wedding parties, groups, etc.
11:13 am
February 10, 2011
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venicestakeholders said
These photo mock-ups are great. Thanks, Mick.
BTW, the representative of the Ferris wheel firm said the base is 25x20 meters, which translates to roughly 75x60 feet. I don't know if this includes all their staging areas, such as a section for wedding parties, groups, etc.
Here's what 25x20 meters looks like to scale:
11:14 am
June 16, 2009
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Trying to think positively.
The only thing I can come up with is that it will attract more families with small kids. As a result, there might be more of an interest in keeping crime down, because, as we know, nothing fires up the protective public ire than when tots might be involved.
11:32 am
February 24, 2010
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Here's the letter the VSA submitted last night:
Venice Stakeholders Association
March 5, 2012
City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks
Re: Great Observation Wheel
Dear Sirs and Madams:
Your department has solicited community views on a proposal to allow the installation, for a temporary period, of a 200 foot Ferris wheel, known as the Great Observation Wheel, at the foot of Windward Avenue in the Venice Beach Recreation Area.
The Venice Stakeholders Association is a non-profit organization committed to civic improvement. While many would be delighted to ride a Ferris wheel at the proposed location and to enjoy the stunning views which it will make available, we have serious concerns about the project, principally related to the parking demand and increased traffic that will result from this installation.
We would ask that this project be viewed as an opportunity for the City of Los Angeles to seriously reconsider its policy regarding any and all events and installations in the Venice Beach Recreation Area. For example, the filming of the Ninja Warrior Challenge this last week took over much of the park from south of Windward Avenue almost to Market Street. Our members report that public parking on Windward on Saturday and Sunday, while filming was underway, was completely taken up by 7:30 AM by visitor vehicles in the 200 block of Windward. This resulted in residents who do not have on-site parking being held hostage in their homes or running the risk of having to park many blocks away from their homes if they gave up their street parking spaces on Windward during the day.
The instant Wheel proposal is good reason for the City of Los Angeles to apply to the Coastal Commission for preferential 24/7 permit parking for beach adjacent residents and to craft an ordinance to require that all events and installations in the Venice Beach Recreation Area pay in-lieu parking fees to a dedicated Venice parking fund, which is immune to being “swept” by the City Council for non-parking purposes or use outside of Venice, to the end of creating parking structures of modest height in Venice.
Thank you for your consideration of our views.
Sincerely,
Mark Ryavec
Mark Ryavec, President
cc: Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Councilman Bill Rosendahl
The Venice Stakeholders Association is dedicated to civic improvement.
The VSA supports slow growth, protection of the limits of the Venice Local Coastal Specific Plan, neighborhood safety, improved traffic circulation, increased parking for residents, neighborhood beautification projects, historic preservation, habitat restoration and protection of coastal waters.
venicestakeholdersassociation.org
