ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Orlando’s hope of having the world’s tallest roller coaster is one step closer to becoming reality.
Orange County’s board of commissioners granted zoning approval Tuesday night for the $500 million Skyplex Orlando project.
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.
“We couldn’t be happier with the board’s decision,” Wallack said. “Central Florida really needed a renaissance of North I-Drive. It had been decaying and shabby for the last 20 years.”
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.
“We want to build the world’s tallest roller coaster as our anchor and, of course, Universal didn’t want us to have such a competitive ride.
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.”
