After dismissing its contractor last month, the New York Wheel is planning to hire the American Bridge Company to finish constructing the 630-ft.-high tourist attraction on the St. George waterfront, the Long Island Advance has reported.
“New York Wheel is in advanced negotiation with American Bridge Company, the builder of the Las Vegas High Roller observation wheel and the new Tappan Zee Bridge, to take over and complete the erection of the NY Wheel,” said Cristyne Nicholas, spokesperson for The New York Wheel.
She wouldn’t comment for the published report on the contract specifics, such as what the NY Wheel will pay the American Bridge Company. So far, the work completed on the the NY Wheel cost $400 million of its $580 million funding pot, said Nicholas.
NY Wheel fired Mammoet-Starneth LLC last month after the company failed “to meet multiple design and construction deadlines,” said Nicholas.
The New York Wheel alleges it has suffered more than $16 million in damages resulting from Mammoet’s delays, and $20 million in lost profits and other damages due to the designer’s breach of contract.
Theo Kroese, a Holland-based company spokesman for Mammoet-Starneth, has declined comment.
Negotiations appear to be advanced enough that arrangements are being made to remove the towering cranes belonging to the former NY Wheel contractor from the site.
“As part of that transition, the cranes previously provided by Mammoet are not required and will be removed from the project site in order to make way for replacement equipment,” said Nicholas.
She couldn’t say when American Bridge Company is expected to sign a contract or begin work, but said: “Work on the terminal building continues. The New York Wheel expects to announce a new completion date in the near future.”
