Windsor ferris wheel idea gets warm reception in Detroit

Could a ferris wheel come to Windsor's downtown one day? The idea seems to be a hit with those on the other side of the river in Detroit, who say it could encourage more visits to the Canadian side.

CBC Windsor floated the idea to people along Detroit's riverfront this week.

Scott Boateng says although he's never been to Windsor, the idea of having a ferris wheel as their river view would easily catch people's attention.

"I feel if they did something like that, it would be attention grabbing. A lot of people that come down to the river walkway would want to go to Windsor if they saw that."

Another Detroiter, Regina Martin, says the possibility of a ferris wheel view would feel more inviting for those on the other side of the border. "It would be inviting and easy to go, it's just right across the border."

The idea comes from Ward 3 councillor Renaldo Agostino. He's asked city of Windsor administration to look at better ways to use space along the riverfront. 

He says the idea is set to repurpose the current parking lots in the area. A ferris wheel is just one idea for how to enhance the space.

"I look at this as prime real estate to draw people to our downtown core, and right now what its being used for is to come down, enjoy the waterfront, jump in your car, and then drive home."

Agostino added that a lot can be done and inspiration can be drawn from other cities. 

"I don't blame anybody for putting parking lots down here. These were decisions made many moons ago."

Jessica Marino says the current view from Detroit to Windsor is "absolutely beautiful," and a ferris wheel as the view would only make it better.

"I think lights are always a fun way to brighten things up. The lighter the things are, your eyes are attracted to it." 

Another Detroiter, Joi Harris, says this has potential to become a trademark. "I think that would be great. It would draw much attention to people from this side and the other side. I think you would have more visitors if that was actually to come."

"[It] would be a trademark if you had the nice big wheel even a little further down from the Caesars, you can see right across."

Agostino says a lot of ideas were floated, and a ferris wheel is an ideal one to create more traffic to the downtown core.

"You don't sell tickets to parking lots, nobody is going to come down and say 'oh look there's a cool parking lot, let's go check that out'."

"When you watch big time Detroit events, there's always one shot of Windsor, and usually it's the bridge, and I think if there's a ferris wheel and a light show, I'm sure the camera would zoom down here too. It's just another one of those things where, it's not one thing, it's a lot of different things, and to me this one thing could be part of the bigger plan."