Ferris wheel, zip line, inlet eateries OK’d in Atlantic City

People walking on the boardwalk in Atlantic City

The city, making good on its vow to seek new non-gambling attractions, has approved redevelopment plans including a giant Ferris wheel and a zip line on the beachfront next to the Steel Pier and restaurants, a rebuilt Boardwalk and an elevated walkway in its Inlet neighborhood.
The plans come as Atlantic City has lost four of its 12 casinos and is trying to make its tourism-centered economy less dependent on gambling.
The City Council last week approved an expansion of the iconic Steel Pier to make way for an already-approved 62-meter-tall observation wheel with enclosed, climate-controlled cars and a zip line ride. It also approved a redevelopment plan for the Northeast Inlet neighborhood including new eateries, entertainment and recreational facilities, a rebuilt Boardwalk and an elevated walkway to bring new business to the area.
“It’s a reinforcement of the importance of adding these other amenities,” said John Palmieri, executive director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.
The agency has already approved the Ferris wheel project and will be contributing about USD8.1 million of its estimated $14 million price tag through a loan to be repaid from a portion of ride ticket revenue.
“It’s a good step forward in the ongoing effort to reinforce those non-gambling sectors,” Palmieri said.
It’s also something Atlantic City has been talking about since 2007, the first year its casino gambling revenues posted a yearly decline due to the opening of casinos in neighboring Pennsylvania that ate into its customer base. Those revenues have plunged from $5.2 billion in 2006 to $2.74 billion last year as casinos continued to open in Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland. Of the eight Atlantic City casinos that survived 2014’s slew of closings, three are in bankruptcy.
The wheel and its 40 cars are being built in Italy and should be delivered to Atlantic City by December. The start of an expansion of the Boardwalk to support the wheel and the zip line ride could begin within two months, Catanoso said. Wayne Parry, Atlantic City, AP

Alonso taken to hospital after crash at Barcelona

Fernando Alonso has been taken to hospital by helicopter after crashing in his McLaren during Formula One preseason testing yesterday.
McLaren said on Twitter: “Fernando is conscious and is speaking. He has been airlifted to hospital for further checks.”
Track officials at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit said Alonso went off at turn three and hit the wall. They said he was transported to hospital “to continue with medical tests” after being treated at the circuit medical center.
McLaren has been plagued by technical problems this preseason after switching to Honda engines ahead of the upcoming season.
Neither the team nor track officials have reported the cause of the crash.
Alonso, 33, rejoined McLaren this season after a disappointing fifth and final campaign with Ferrari. He won back-to-back world titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006 before spending one season at McLaren in 2007.
Ferrari tweeted “All the best Fernando.” AP