Carolina Beach Ferris wheel land agreement remains unsecured

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Town officials in Carolina Beach are close to reaching an agreement with the owners of the boardwalk’s Ferris wheel. 

The Ferris wheel—which is owned by Carolina Beach Land Holdings—was temporarily dismantled on Dec. 21, ahead of the company’s lease agreement with the town expiring on Jan 1. 

Although the majority of the land that the Ferris wheel sits on is owned by the company, the base of the Ferris wheel extends into town property by about four feet.  

The town granted an encroachment agreement with the company for one year, but now that it has expired, the town council is working to reach a solution ahead of the summer months. 

“We’re waiting to hear back from the property owners, and to discuss that with them,” Carolina Beach Town Manager Bruce Oakley said. “We don’t have a timeline at this moment, but I expect they would like to have it up and running by Memorial Day, I would assume.” 

Oakley explained that the town council, staff and many citizens are eager to see the Ferris wheel back on the beach, but that the pending agreement has complicated the ride’s return.