![]() The denial came even though Skyplex got a positive recommendation from county support staff and Federal Aviation Administration approval. Last month, the Orange County's advisory planning and zoning commission denied Skyplex's request that its nearly 12 acres be rezoned. In addition, it must follow a plan it worked out with officials regarding its impact on traffic and easing any potential light pollution. ![]() Since it is yet unclear exactly how high the roller coaster will eventually be, it agreed that it won't exceed 600 feet. Skyplex did agree to some conditions as part of its zoning approval. "It has to fit into the community, and height is the issue," McReynolds said. Universal vice president of external affairs John McReynolds told commissioners that Universal's opposition was not about fears of competition, but did still have concerns about Skyplex's impact on the area. Opposition led by neighboring Universal Orlando argued the coaster, which would have a 450-foot drop, would be too tall and adversely change the culture of the tourist corridor. The support included residents of some of International Drive's closest residential neighborhoods, as well as business owners who said Skyplex would help revitalize the area. ![]() Several dozen people voiced opinions about the project during Tuesday's standing room-only public hearing. The current tallest roller coaster is the 450-foot "Kingda Ka" at New Jersey's Six Flags Great Adventure. The Skyplex complex, scheduled to open in 2018, would include two other rides, a 350-room hotel, restaurants and stores. Hopefully they've sort of seen the public sentiment is for Skyplex and for the rebirth of I-Drive, for prosperity and the renaissance of this year." "We want to build the world's tallest rollercoaster as our anchor and, of course, Universal didn't want us to have such a competitive ride. International Drive, located about 20 miles outside of downtown Orlando, is an 11-mile strip of shops, restaurants and hotels situated between Universal and SeaWorld Orlando. It had been decaying and shabby for the last 20 years." "Central Florida really needed a renaissance of North I-Drive. "We couldn't be happier with the board's decision," Wallack said. The unanimous vote means that developer Joshua Wallack and his family can move to the planning and construction phase on their project to build the 570-foot "Skyscraper" coaster and surrounding entertainment complex on Orlando's International Drive. Orange County's board of commissioners granted zoning approval Tuesday night for the $500 million Skyplex Orlando project. There will also be a 425-foot Ferris wheel built nearby, named the Orlando Eye, which will open before the Skyscraper.Orlando's hope of having the world's tallest roller coaster is one step closer to becoming reality. (WATCH: This Man Has a Brilliant Use for an Airplane) It will cost $200 million to build the complex, according to the report, and SKYPLEX will become the tallest structure in the Orlando area once completed.Ī three-minute ride on Skyscraper will include loops, barrel rolls and a top speed of about 65 mph as it careens toward the ground, Chris Kraftchick, a regional representative for the American Coaster Enthusiasts, said in an Orlando Sentinel report. The new SKYPLEX will be located along Orlando's International Drive, a tourist haven that's home to many hotels, shops and restaurants near Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. (MORE: Could This Be Humanity's Next Home?) The ride's tracks will wrap around a massive tower known as SKYPLEX, and the roller coaster will start an astounding 580 feet above the ground.Īs Fox News puts it, that's taller than the Washington Monument, which stands 555 feet tall. Take a look at Skyscraper, which is slated to open in 2016 as the world's first "Polercoaster," according to an official release announcing the Orlando, Florida, attraction. While some roller coaster architects aim to build rides inches taller than previous record-holders, one monster is set to rewrite the record books. ![]()
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