The Ferris Wheel
A New View of Roanoke: The Sky Garden at Center in the Square
Center in the Square is exploring an exciting new vision to elevate downtown Roanoke—literally. The proposed Sky Garden would transform the rooftop into a vibrant public destination featuring lush green space, fountains, shaded seating, and gathering areas open to everyone. Plans also include a versatile pavilion for student field trips, educational programming, and intimate events such as small weddings, along with a potential ticketed Ferris wheel or observation wheel offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city and surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.
Designed to complement existing attractions and build on the success of Six and Sky Rooftop Grille, the Sky Garden represents a bold step forward in enhancing Roanoke’s visitor experience and economic vitality. As a nonprofit committed to downtown development, Center in the Square sees this project as an opportunity to attract new tourism, support local businesses, generate tax revenue, and expand educational outreach to rural communities. The next step is a feasibility study to assess structural requirements, placement, and overall viability—an important first move toward bringing this elevated vision to life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you hope to include in the Sky Garden?
The Sky Garden is envisioned as a dynamic rooftop destination featuring:
- Free public spaces with gardens, fountains, shaded seating, and gathering areas
- A pavilion suitable for student field trips and available to rent for small weddings and special events
- A Ferris wheel or observation wheel operated as a ticketed attraction
Where did the idea of a Ferris wheel come from?
Several factors came together to inspire this concept:
- A Center in the Square board member, who owns several Lakeside Amusement Park rides, installed select attractions—including a Ferris wheel—at a Center-hosted event. The attraction was well received, prompting discussion about a permanent location. After exploring Market Square, Center determined that a secure, controlled environment such as the Center in the Square rooftop was a better fit.
- The growing popularity of Six and Sky Rooftop Grille has significantly increased foot traffic to Center’s rooftop spaces. This momentum presents an opportunity to expand and enhance the overall guest experience.
- As a nonprofit dedicated to activating downtown Roanoke, Center in the Square continually looks for innovative ways to advance its mission. The Sky Garden concept is designed to complement existing downtown attractions while drawing additional visitors to the area.
What are the next steps to make this project a reality?
The next step is to conduct a feasibility study. This study would evaluate key factors such as appropriate size, location, structural requirements, reinforcements, and overall project viability.
How would the feasibility study be funded?
Center in the Square is exploring multiple funding options and is currently pursuing an appropriation through the Virginia General Assembly. Existing City of Roanoke funding is already committed to essential community programs, so this approach focuses on securing new funding for the study from the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Why pursue feasibility study funding through the General Assembly?
As an economic development initiative, the Sky Garden would attract new tourism dollars to the Roanoke region, benefiting local residents and businesses. Increased visitation would generate additional tax revenue for the City of Roanoke, while also strengthening Center in the Square’s programming and its outreach to surrounding rural communities.
Requesting state funding for a feasibility study is a common and prudent first step. It allows legislators to evaluate the concept and its potential benefits without committing to full project funding, and it provides an opportunity to build familiarity and support before larger investments are considered.