The Reporter newspaper, Camdenton Missouri

The Reporter covers Miller, Morgan and Camden County in Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks and is published once per week on Wednesdays.

The Coca-Cola London Eye, located on the Thames River in London, England, is the model of one recently proposed for the City of Osage Beach. Land near Highway 54 and KK would be donated for the location. Local resident Frank Baldwin sent the city a letter last week promoting the idea.

Published March 25, 2015

Giant Ferris wheel proposed for Osage Beach

By Dale Johnson
OSAGE BEACH – A local resident is proposing a unique attraction for the city to bring in tourists and boost the local economy: a Ferris wheel.

But not just any Ferris wheel, but a giant Ferris wheel like the one adorning the skyline of London, England.

In a letter to the city last week, resident Frank Baldwin floated the idea along with claiming initial support from a number of people in the city.

The letter begins with a question for the city: “Is there something we can do as residents of Osage Beach?”

“Do you realize that a Ferris wheel like the one in London would have an enormous impact on the local economy, the surrounding area and the state of Missouri?” Baldwin said in his letter.

Baldwin is aware of the financial problems the city is experiencing since the Highway 54 bypass came into existence, coupled with the country’s economic woes.

“In talking to Mr. Dennis Klautzer, he painted a dark picture of Osage Beach. Quoting Mr. Klautzer, businesses are closing, no one is making money, and even Dierbergs is losing money,” said Baldwin. “However, Dennis did like the idea of having a large Ferris wheel. He told me to go and see Joni Walden at ‘Blinds and More’ as she is working a project ‘Passport to the Parkway’ and there may be some interest in your idea.”

The giant Ferris wheel in London is called the London Eye. A sponsor came forward earlier this year and it is now referred to as The Coca-Cola London Eye.

The London Ferris wheel stands at 443 feet tall and has a diameter of 394 feet. When it was erected in 1999 it was the tallest Ferris wheel in the world but has since been surpassed by several others in the world including one in Las Vegas, NV, which stands at 550 feet.

It still claims to be the tallest cantilevered observation wheel in the world and is Europe’s tallest Ferris wheel.

The Ferris wheel contains 32 sealed and air-conditioned ovoidal passenger capsules, and are attached to the external circumference of the wheel and rotated by electric motors. Each capsule can hold up to 25 people.

If a similar Ferris wheel can be built in the city it would be a major tourist attraction for the lake area but one obstacle stands in the way: money.

“The London Ferris Wheel cost $23 million to build, doing a similar project as this would have a tremendous effect on our economy,” Baldwin said.

Part of the obstacle in building the project has already been addressed and the west side of the city should be happy with the location.

“Now the big surprise, if you have the right people working with you, I will donate 10 acres of land to the city, located on Hwy 54 and KK,” said Baldwin.

Besides writing a letter to the city about the project, Baldwin has been visiting the city in person and visiting other parties to promote the idea and get feedback to see if there is any interest.

“I then went to City Hall to try and see Ms. Jeana L Woods but she was not available, so Mike Welty made a photo of the poster (Baldwin had created) and he sent it to Ms. Woods. Later in that week I did meet with Ms. Woods and she really liked the idea and the picture,” Baldwin said.

Next stop for Baldwin was Duenke Enterprises.

“This was the first time I met Mr. Matt Duenke. It was a most pleasant meeting,” said Baldwin. “He liked the picture of the London Ferris Wheel and having a similar Ferris wheel in Osage Beach.”

The idea also expands into more that a large Ferris wheel. It would also include a Carnival Area and Cultural Park.

According to Baldwin, the Carnival would have a similar layout as Walt Disney, with a main street and other attractions, food stands along the main street with food from local city restaurants along with many picnic tables.

The Cultural Park would have a bandstand with a sound system, a large screen TV, a dance floor and stadium seating for people.

Various international festivals could also be planned, like a German Fest, Italian Fest, Polish Fest and Mexican Fest.

“In the future we could have a bridge to walk from Business 54 over Hwy 54 to the Carnival,” Baldwin said.

Though the project is an ambitious one, it is something that Baldwin in his letter is very enthusiastic about but admits he will need help in this venture.

“As for all the people of the Osage Beach area, let’s come together. Let’s do it.”