Dubai backs plans for world's biggest Ferris wheel
Comments (0) | 
Print | Originally published: Feb 13, 2013 - 12:36 pm
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Dubai's ruler has approval a $1.6 billion island development project that would be home to what's billed as the world's biggest Ferris wheel.
The project reflects a renewed appetite in Dubai for extravagance as the economy rebounds from a debt-driven slump during the past three years.
The official WAM news agency said Wednesday that the Ferris wheel- dubbed the Dubai Eye- will stand 210 meters (688 feet), exceeding the London Eye's 135 meters (443 feet). Construction is set to begin this year.
Dubai has proposed a series of mega projects reminiscent of its boom years before the downturn hit in 2009. The projects include theme parks and a satellite city named for Dubai's ruler, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashin Al Maktoum.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
