Ferris Wheel Proposed Over Downtown Roanoke | On the Record: With the Roanoke Rambler

A giant Ferris wheel over downtown Roanoke? This week’s On the Record tackles one of the boldest development ideas the city has seen in years.Reporter Jeff Sturgeon from the Roanoke Rambler joins WFIR to break down a proposal that could place a 130-foot, permanent Ferris wheel atop Center in the Square or its adjacent parking garage, potentially reshaping Roanoke’s skyline and downtown identity. We dig into what’s known, what’s still conceptual, and how state funding, engineering studies, and city approval could determine whether the idea moves forward.The conversation also explores quiet but significant leadership departures from Roanoke City Hall, including the exit of Deputy City Manager Sam Roman, and what those changes mean as the city navigates a period of transition. Plus, we revisit a high-profile defamation case involving former state senator Brandon Bell, now headed toward appeal, and take a look at emerging food and restaurant trends shaping Roanoke’s dining scene in 2026.If you care about downtown development, local government, legal accountability, or where Roanoke is headed next, this is one of the most wide-ranging and revealing On the Record conversations in weeks.