New ferris wheel proposed in downtown Tampa

Original reporting by Lia Marsee

There are plans to build the Tampa WOW or Wheel Over Water. The wheel would allow people to see downtown Tampa from up to 250 feet in the air.

Tony Miller, a Tampa developer, has plans for the the 250 foot wheel to be built in the Channelside district. The 20 million dollar project is privately funded by the Florida Aquarium and Port Tampa Bay.

If the wheel is approved by the Tampa City Council, Miller hopes for it to be completed by Fall of 2026.

“We have 8 million visitors that already come, that tourists come into the downtown Area, we’re adding value and another attraction for those very important audiences that are already coming here,” said Tony Miller.

He hopes the location of the wheel will draw more visitors to the area. Especially the residents coming off of cruise ships and and visiting the aquarium.

The wheel would have 27 air-conditioned gondolas that could sit between 10-15 people.

Many residents are excited by the proposal, but some are worried about overcrowding.

“He said there would be no traffic. I disagree with that,” said Bob Harrington, a Channelside resident. “I think traffic will be increased. I believe 50 spaces mitigated. 50 spaces will be mitigated from the parking.” 

ZooTampa welcomes baby komodo dragons

Original reporting by Emma Brockman

ZooTampa celebrates the hatching of a male and female komodo dragon. It’s only the second time in the Zoo’s 95-year history that the dragons have successfully bred.

The hatchlings give hope to a species with only about 1,400 left in the wild.

The baby dragons will stay behind the scenes until they adapt and grow. They will make their public debut later this fall.

CREDITS:

Producer: Noah Vinsky

Anchors: Madison Gotham, Aiden Poff

Reporters: Lia Marsee and Emma Brockman

Floor Director: Gio Robinson-Santiago

Web Editor: Emma Brockman

CG: Jayden Fernandez

Tech Director: Eric Charpentier

Editor: Luana Schneider

Socials: Giovanna Chitto

Camera: Jada Knobloch

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Anderson

Graduate Assistant: Grace Ficara