World's Largest Ferris Wheel?

NYC will soon have the distinction of having the world's largest Ferris wheel.  It will be in Staten Island, just north of the ballpark in Saint George.  It will surpass the world's largest now, which is in Singapore standing at 541 feet tall.  The New York Wheel will also be bigger than the proposed Ferris Wheel in Las Vegas which is planned for 550 feet.
The NY Wheel is expected to carry 4.5 million passengers a year.

Artist's rendering of the New York Wheel

A few months ago, I rode the Wonder Wheel, in Coney Island.  Wow.  That one is only 150 feet tall, and I had a mini panic attack on it.  I was doing fine until we came around the top, and all of the sudden there was nothing in front of us.  I freaked.  So I will have to ride the new one, and let ya'll know how it goes, perhaps even take the camera with me this time.

The full, 470,000-Square-Foot complex will feature approximately 100 designer outlet shops and a 200-Room hotel. The hope is that “The New York Wheel and the retail outlet mall will attract millions of visitors from around the five boroughs and around the world to Staten Island, not generally considered one of the major tourist destinations of the city. The New York Wheel is expected be open 7 days a week, 365 days per year (except on severe weather days and required maintenance days) from roughly 10 AM to 10 PM in the fall, winter and spring.

 Rides will last roughly 38 minutes. In the summer, and on special occasions, the Wheel will stay open for longer hours. Construction is expected to begin in early 2014, with the goal of hosting a grand opening by the end of 2015. The Wheel’s designer and manufacturer will be Starneth, comprised of members of the team that built the London Eye.