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NJ Roller Coaster Submerged by Sandy May Stay Put
Mayor: It would make a 'great tourist attraction'
The roller coaster from an amusement pier rests in the Atlantic Ocean in Seaside Heights, N.J., after the region was pounded by Superstorm Sandy. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. (AP) - The remains of a roller coaster that was knocked off a New Jersey amusement pier by Superstorm Sandy and partially submerged in the Atlantic Ocean might be left there as a tourist attraction.
Seaside Heights Mayor Bill Akers tells WNBC-TV in New York that officials have not made a decision on whether to tear down the coaster. But the mayor says he's working with the Coast Guard to see if the coaster is stable enough to leave it alone because he believes it would make "a great tourist attraction."
Meanwhile, efforts to rebuild the storm-ravaged town are continuing.
Demolition crews have removed the resort's damaged boardwalk. And Akers says construction on a new boardwalk is expected to begin in January and be ready by Memorial Day.
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91 Comments
I remember that coaster. It was called the Wild Mouse. I rode it since I was a kid. It looks tame. but it was a rush!
November 25 2012 at 8:04 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIf you want a tourist attraction, come south and see what attracts tourists to the beach...clean beaches!! Clean it up so kids can play in the water and it doesn't become a "fish haven" attracting fish, sting rays...then sharks. Why not remove it...cut it up in pieces and let local artist make things from it? OR, sell pieces to those who have visited over the years. You could make a lot of restoration money that way.
November 24 2012 at 4:03 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIt would be safer to dismantle it and put the parts in a local museum or cut it into pieces and sell them for souvenirs. This was done with Mt. St. Helen's ash when it erupted in the 1980's. The ash was used to make and sell glass keepsakes in various shapes and sizes. Left as is it won't last long and will become more of a shoreline hazard than it is now. It can deteriorate under water causing the foundation to collapse making a bigger mess than it is now and a major safety hazard. You can bet the local professional photographers are busy processing prints for sale right now. A print in a 16 X 20 size could sell for several hundred or more depending on the processing.
November 24 2012 at 3:55 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyGreat! just the kind of monkey bars i would want for my child to play on ...are you kidding mayor!!!??
November 24 2012 at 3:53 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIMO, it's very eerie - looking...why should that be left as a reminder of what "Sandy" did to the JS!
November 24 2012 at 3:46 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWhat a frigging idiot!
November 24 2012 at 3:40 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWell, on the plus side ... it will be an ongoing reminder on why NOT to build (or rebuild) in this proximity (coastal zones in general!). The down side is if they rebuild in this area to come see it.
November 24 2012 at 3:38 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWe need to take this as an opportunity to reconsider building homes, businesses, or amusement parks in areas that are prone to coastal surge damage. Is this wise or prudent?
The loss to all in the affected areas has been and continues to be horrific ... let's not repeat history. My heart goes out to all those affected and I am sure they would agree that this should not happen again.
Idiotic.
November 24 2012 at 3:36 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyThis will be something for the kids to play on when the weather gets warmer.....NOT!!! Are you kidding me? Tourist attraction?! It's scary looking first of all and second of all, I can't imagine all the kids that will get injured trying to check it out. How about when the next storm weakens it even more and pieces of it start floating onto the beach or get stuck in the sand and people step on it. That beach will never be safe for anyone to enjoy. This is an even bigger disaster waiting to happen.
November 24 2012 at 3:28 PM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down ReplyNot to mention what if a piece of it rusts and breaks off, which happens to metal exposed to salt water, and washes nearer to shore , could gouge an eye out or knock someone out and kill them- how could they be stupid and lazy enough to consider this!?
November 24 2012 at 3:23 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply