Golden Gate Park's SkyStar Ferris wheel reopening Thursday, staying four more years

The massive, 150-foot-tall SkyStar Ferris wheel at Golden Gate Park.
The massive, 150-foot-tall SkyStar Ferris wheel at Golden Gate Park. Photo credit Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The 150-foot tall SkyStar Ferris wheel is staying in Golden Gate Park for four more years under an extension finalized by San Francisco's Historic Preservation Commission on Wednesday afternoon.

As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, the 7-0 vote follows an earlier unanimous vote by the city's Recreation and Park Commission.

As part of a reported deal, the wheel's operator must submit plans for excessive noise mitigation from its generator and a solution for bright lights from its nighttime operation within eight weeks.

It will now be in Golden Gate Park until March 1, 2025.

The Ferris wheel arrived with the expectation it would open in April 2020 as part of the park's 150th anniversary celebration. At the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, those plans were put on hold and the wheel eventually opened for just 39 days last fall before having to shut down again when the Bay Area entered the state's regional lockdown.

With San Francisco back in the state's red tier as of Wednesday, it is set to reopen at the park's Music Concourse at 12 p.m. Thursday.

This reopening comes a week after two city supervisors called for an investigation into the nonprofit San Francisco Parks Alliance, which is overseeing the contract.

Supervisors have raised concerns because a corruption investigation last year found instances of city agencies using nonprofit organizations encouraging contractors seeking lucrative contracts to make large donations.

Bird activists and neighbors to the expansive park have also complained about the wheel since its installation.

Tickets are now available.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Justin Sullivan / Staff