CHICAGO (AP) -
Chicago’s Navy Pier will open its new, taller Ferris wheel on May 27.
Mayor Rahm
Emanuel’s office said Wednesday the opening will kick off Navy Pier’s
centennial celebration.
The new 196-foot
Ferris wheel will stand 49 feet taller and fit up to 180 more passengers per
ride than the previous attraction, which opened in 1995 and was removed in
October.
The replacement
also will have temperature-controlled gondolas, padded seats, TV screens and
speakers. It’s part of a $640 million project approved in 2013 aimed at
drawing more tourists and trade shows to Chicago.
The city’s history
with the Ferris wheel runs deep. The first one was built in 1893 in Chicago
for the World’s Columbian Exposition.