Welcome to "Actual Factual," a regular column in which I, Becca Godwin, answer reader questions about goings-on in Atlanta. Here's one I did recently about the Midtown bridge with the Peachtree sign on it.
Now that you're familiar, you'll find information for submitting your own questions at the bottom of this column.
Reader Tony asks: "What ever happened to SkyView's planned additional rides near the Ferris wheel at Centennial Park? One of them was to be called 'SkyDrop,' I think."
Thanks for dropping a line, Tony. And great question. We reported in July 2015 that the owners of Skyview Atlanta, who brought a 200-foot Ferris wheel to Centennial Olympic Park, were planning a new drop-ride attraction for summer 2016. The $5 million project, named Skyfall Atlanta, would be taller than Skyview and contain a thrill component, managing partner Todd Schneider said at the time.
Yet, summer 2016 came and went without such a ride.
The Central Atlanta Progress/Atlanta Downtown Improvement District website mentions Skyfall, calling it a 200-foot-tall free-fall, drop ride attraction. But a CAP spokeswoman said she hadn't gotten an update on the project lately.
And Skyview isn't giving away many details.
Delays, such as getting government approval on some things, have come up along the way — “as often happens with unique construction projects,” a spokesman said in an email. He confirmed that an expansion, or "Phase 2," will include thrilling attractions and should be open by the end of the year, but not whether it would include a drop ride.
“We have a policy of not commenting on our plans when they are still under review by various government agencies,” the spokesman said. “We think it only complicates the process unnecessarily.”
So there you have it — sort of. Check back to AJC.com for more updates on Skyview’s “Phase 2” — and whatever it may bring.
I, Becca Godwin, am a staff writer with the AJC and a lover of Atlanta, my adopted home for nearly six years after moving here from Florida. To submit “Actual Factual” questions, contact me at becca.godwin@ajc.com, @BeccaJGGodwin on Twitter or via the form below. Thanks.
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