Cologne: Ferris wheel is to be built at the zoo – that’s what the zoo says

The possible comeback of the ferris wheel on the meadow in front of the zoo is already a concern for many people. The project is welcomed by the majority of users on social networks. The few critical voices mostly complain about the square on Riehler Straße in the immediate vicinity of the Zoobrücke. The 55 meter high Ferris wheel would, however, tower over the bridge section, the view of the city would be free. The majority have little to gain from this debate. The anticipation prevails to do a lap with the 300-ton steel colossus.

55 meters high, 42 open gondolas

The final coordination with the administration is still pending. Several offices are involved in the approval procedure. Among other things, it is checked whether the large ferris wheel could irritate wild birds in their flight. The animals in the neighboring zoo are not bothered by the ride, which is illuminated in the evening until the end of operation, explains the zoo. “In principle, we have no concerns,” says a city spokesman.

The plans provide that the ferris wheel can only be erected after the current restrictions due to the corona pandemic have been relaxed. At this point in time, crowds of people at an attraction like the ferris wheel would hardly be acceptable.

But once it is there, it will probably stay there for three months – unless the permit is extended. Because that’s how it was at the Rheinauhafen. After it was set up last June, there were two lookups. After all, in December it was dismantled earlier than planned due to the corona pandemic. Actually, it should have stayed on the Rhine through January. The Ferris wheel falls into the “flying structures” category, as does circus tents. For such structures, permits are initially issued for three months, but there are options for extensions. At a certain point in time, however, the Ferris wheel would require a proper building permit. The application for the erection of a “flying building” is still being processed in the administration. “We expect the OK in the course of the coming week,” says the city spokesman. If the Ferris wheel on the lawn in front of the zoo is dismantled, the operator will oblige the operator to restore the green space to the way it was before.

There are 42 open and rotating gondolas hanging in the “Europa-Rad” of the Bonn showmen Kipp & Sohn, in which up to 252 people can ride. At 55 meters, according to the operators, it is the largest transportable ferris wheel with open gondolas in the world. The gondolas are closed on taller Ferris wheels – and the permanently installed, i.e. not transportable, of them are a lot higher. The famous “London Eye” in the British capital, for example, is 120 meters high, the “High Roller” in Las Vegas 167 meters, which is taller than the 158 meter high Cologne Cathedral. The opening of the world’s largest Ferris wheel is planned for spring in Dubai: Ain Dubai (“Dubai Eye”) is to measure 250 meters.

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