Letter: Add a lighted Ferris wheel to downtown Asheville

Graphic by Lori Deaton

I recently saw a news report that the City of Asheville was looking for suggestions for improvements to the downtown area to make it more fun and attractive.

I have one that I believe would brighten up the area and also raise funds for the city and Buncombe County. Since I live in Vegas now, every time I go outside my apartment, I see a gorgeous lighted Ferris wheel at night in the distance, and I really enjoy seeing it glitter at night.

I believe the same effect could be done in Asheville, and fees to ride the wheel would provide new jobs and funds for other civic improvements. I also believe both residents and tourists would want to photograph and ride it every night it is running.

By the way, I am homesick for West Asheville but am too poor to move back, but if Asheville adds a Ferris wheel downtown, I will visit to ride it.

— John Penley
Las Vegas

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5 thoughts on “Letter: Add a lighted Ferris wheel to downtown Asheville

  1. SpareChange

    Just what we need – the ultimate validation that the City of Asheville has turned itself into a cheap amusement park. Ideally the giant ferris wheel will go right in front of City Hall in order to complement the local clown show regularly performing there.

  2. Bright

    Yessir…a lighted Ferris wheel. Additionally, how about a dog and monkey show, and another purple “geek” bus to carry the sightseers to the grocery stores to load up on their water supplies. Fun, fun, fun.

  3. Miriam Gray

    Please no! We don’t want to look like Las Vegas! Thank you but no. We have mountain to look at.

  4. kw

    Only if I get to control the speed so as to launch Vegas residents back where they belong…

  5. Lou

    Could we make each car a tiny home for homeless, give them jobs working it and cleaning up after idiot tourists?

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