SkyWheel is leaving Norfolk, but Waterside says its summer stay was a success
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Waterside in Norfolk is riding high on the summer success of the SkyWheel.Spokesperson Fred Rose told WAVY.com a little more than 50,000 people rode the wheel. The ride started coming down on Monday.
The 137-foot-tall wheel gave passengers a memorable view of the Norfolk and Portsmouth waterfronts.
Chopper 10 was above the SkyStar after crews put it together back in May and WAVY went back out on the ground Monday morning as crews were taking it down.
The goal was to bring more people to downtown and Rose said it did precisely that. The two biggest weekends for riders being Harborfest — and the Fourth of July.
Along with the large number of riders, it also supplied 40 seasonal jobs.
Rose said while they don’t have figures yet to compare sales in restaurants and shops year-to-year, he is sure all of those folks who came down to ride also spent money elsewhere, helping the economy as a whole.
If you missed out you may get another opportunity to ride. Rose said Waterside is in discussion with the Missouri company that operates the SkyWheel. It could come back, or it could be another, new entertainment feature they bring here.
by: Stephanie Harris | NBC Norfolk Online