Goin' Opal Here ...

I think what your really saying is that you wish someone or the city would do this for you. If that isn't what you meant then by all means I think you should proceed with that.

Geez roygbiv, no need to step on kittens.

coffee, hungarian dogs and a ferris wheel. what an interesting combo

Maybe after the city of Toledo is forced to sell THE DOCKS, to raise money to fend off a budget crisis, maybe the new owner(s) will give the idea some consideration.

It would be nice if people could rent Wave-Runners and Jet-Ski's near International Park too. - Maybe for $20.00 an hour + gas.

Hey. Cold weather down south, floods out west, earthquakes and more. Didn't Opal threaten us with all that stuff if she wasn't elected?

Nice thought for a city that is anywhere but here.

This city needs a H*lluva a lot more done to it than yet another place for homeless/bums/"disabled" to loaf (as in the Main Library Downtown) and teen gangs to ruin (as in Southwyck Mall and now Westfield Franklin Park).

Solve the other problems this city has first THEN put up a ferris wheel.

It is all about priorities.

Put down the crack pipe.

WOW a whole bunch a rain on "viola's" parade. LOL

Ryan: wasn't stepping on kittens just trying to say don't ask for things we can't afford, everyone has a pet project that they would like to see done, as long as its on someone else's dime. And as has been pointed out the city can't afford it. Now if someone wants to throw their own money into thats great, but the last thing we need is the city to fund more stuff that we can't afford and that won't be adequately self sufficient (remember COSI wasn't going to cost any thing it would generate its own operating funds), Or how about all the living space downtown that was gasn't going to cost us anything because people would flock dowtown to live in overpriced properties with no infra structure, all pipe dreams that we pay for now.

Talk to the people who run the Circus Circus casino in Vegas. Maybe they'll open a branch in down town Toledo.

Hey guys. Way to pop Viola's daydream bubble.
Although,,,,, Maybe a bug in the ear of the new casino owners to be built on the river might get a Ferris wheel and jet ski rental and no parking problems..

hey! opal has a FB page.. with like.. no friends! add her! http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000826777142

Viola, Great idea with a lot of merit. Glad to see people discussing that it's Their river and recreation area to be used in positive ways. Skyway Marina began classic car shows on Friday's last year with no admission, music and food. It just began so it's growing. Fun no cost time. We need events where no one is in anyone else's wallet. Fun can be done again. Walter they rented jet ski's at Maumee Bay Park a few years ago but the cost was higher than what you posted. Vendor could not make it with operating costs for his customer base. Downtown river area not a good choice due to "no wake zone" which really can't be lifted for safety reasons. Let's work on this concept guys and turn the corner to better times. Thanks

From Mariner: Viola, Great idea with a lot of merit.

If it was a great idea, private investors would have snatched it up and run it in to a touchdown by now. Consider, Viola wishes she could go downtown and walk along the waterfront enjoying river views, sunsets, bridges, boatwatching. Just try that anytime other than high summer. If your family is lucky, the TPD will have found your frozen remains before the spring thaw.

As for the jet ski rentals, I don't see the no-wake law as being a significant restriction. People will just ignore it and the Coast Guard doesn't have the equipment to catch a jet ski. The real problem is that at $20 per hour the proprietor cannot turn a profit and the jet skis will vanish within a month.

Now Now Mad J me thinks a little sip or two of the Jack might improve your outlook.I have no way to represent that better days are coming, but i do know if we don't look for them they will not arrive.

Jet skiing in the muddy Maumee? Ugh!

madjack "If it was a great idea, private investors would have snatched it up and run it in to a touchdown by now." I hadn't realized every idea has been taken. Guess we should give up.??

Those who operate amusement rides like ferris wheels are required to carry liability insurance.

Anyway, if it became a reality it would most likely close down in October and stay closed during winter until perhaps late May.

Understood, but let's keep working the concept, the Idea around and go with what works.

I'd like to see someone rent a carnival ferris wheel and park it downtown just to spite those ney sayers. lol

Well, the ferris wheel might, yes, but look at what Chicago has done with Navy Pier. It doesn't shut down in the winter.

Regardless, after reading the article that jr posted regarding the casino in Lawrenceville, it sounds like if our casino gets built and actually generates the kind of revenue for the area that everyone expects it to, we should be able to expect improvements in our city.

I've been making a point lately, to stop complaining about my city and start heading downtown more often. I've been visiting the main library on a regular basis. I posted elsewhere here that I attended my very first opening day - and we went back for a second game that Saturday.

On Friday and Saturday, I was at Seagate for the Ohio Genealogical Society conference. I visited Fricker's for lunch one day, The Blarney the next. Walking back from lunch on Saturday, I stopped to watch batting practice at Fifth Third Field. I was one of the people who hated to see the Mud Hens leave Maumee, but the ballpark in that location is absolutely perfect and I wonder if anyone can truly appreciate how perfect it is just driving by. I think you really need to be on foot.

Opting to skip out on the afternoon sessions on Saturday, my friend and I hung out in the bar at the Park Inn, having a couple of cocktails while we did research online. We watched the crowd change from conference attendees to concert goers as Carrie Underwood was playing at the arena that night.

I headed home for a bit and then met friends down at the Bronze Boar. My friend from the conference used to work downtown before relocating to Cinci, and she was blown away by how many people were around.

And yes, game nights are what bring them in, but you know what? It's gradually changing. Again, I mentioned in a previous post about being at the Attic on Adams on a Tuesday night and it was surprisingly busy. These things don't happen overnight, but things do seem to be happening.

I like your attitude!

How will this Ferris Wheel idea effect the MonkeyDome that is going to be built over the Maumee?

In case no one know's what I am talking about:

http://www.toledocitypaper.com/view_article.php?id=1411

heheehe But I gotta know first. Just which political party do these monkey's belong to?

valbee: I wish more people would pick up your attitude and put their money where their mouth is when it comes to downtown. Kudos to you!

Affirm Mesm, good post valbee

Opal probably wouldn't be any worse than the yahoo's running the city into the ground now.

You know what? In addition to the Ferris Wheel, I want a chairlift crossing the Maumee from Promenade Park over to the Docks, from noon to midnight. Maybe some closed gondolas instead of chairs, so we wouldn't freeze. And so people couldn't toss things into the river from above. :)

V i think you're on to something here. Mandatory inclusion of a pitcher of one's favorite beverage.

Can you imagine? Park at the Docks, enjoy a refreshing beverage, hop on the gondola to cross the river, see a Hens game. Then cross back over, enjoying the bridges, city lights, and moonlight on the Maumee, along with your beverage.

I would go downtown every weekend for something like that!