Proposed Pittsburgh Giant Ferris Wheel, Esplanade Project Advances

PITTSBURGH, PA — Much anticipated plans to bring a giant permanent Ferris wheel to Pittsburgh advanced Tuesday Allegheny County Council approved a measure necessary for the Esplanade project to move forward.

Council unanimously voted to create a Transit Revitalization Investment District that will divert taxes from the project back into the development. Pittsburgh City Council and the Pittsburgh Public Schools already have approved the district.

The vote will aid Millcraft Investments' plan to transform a 15-acre site on the city's North Side near the Rivers Casino into Esplanade, a mixed-use development centered around an approximately 175-foot-tall Ferris wheel and pavilion.

The pavilion will include a courtyard/winter garden that will include a restaurant and fresh food market. The exterior will feature areas for public seating and gathering, along with other amenities. It will be available to the public year-round and accessible from either the Esplanade streets or the riverfront.

The exterior will feature areas for public seating and gathering, along with other amenities. It will be available to the public year-round and accessible from either the Esplanade streets or the riverfront.Pl

The project's $236 million first phase will include the 45,000 square-foot pavilion building; a 300-unit apartment building containing both affordable and market-rate housing and retail space; a 15,000 square foot space supporting the Ferris wheel; a 550-space public parking garage; and a mixed-purpose marina including a public pier, public safety uses, houseboats, and seasonal and transient slips.

Additionally, the project will include retail kiosks, splash park and ice skating amenities; a park-like amphitheater for small performances and local music and historical and educational placards on local figures and events.