Clearwater's Ferris wheel has generated $91,714.62 in city revenue since it began operating in late November 2025. The figure comes from a city staff report presented at a City Council workshop Monday, Sept. 28.

The revenue covers operations through July 2026. A temporary trackless train that ran during the 2026 Sugar Sand Festival added another $4,067.20, bringing the combined revenue from the city's temporary amusement program to $95,781.82.

Both attractions were authorized under a 2025 Request for Proposals (RFP 35-25), which sought temporary attractions to draw visitors and generate revenue. The city received six proposals and entered trial agreements with Interstate Amusements for the Ferris wheel and a kayak company for kayak services.

The Ferris wheel opened its first weekend in Coachman Park in late November 2025, pulling in $921.60. It relocated to Clearwater Beach in February 2026 and has operated at Pier 60 Park since. Monthly revenue climbed steadily after the move: March brought $15,908.40, and July hit $18,205.20. July was the peak.

The trial contract is set to expire roughly one year after it began, around November 2026. City staff laid out three paths forward for council members:

• Continue the current contract and broad procurement model.
• Issue a new, narrower RFP with tighter requirements on attraction type, location, duration and number of vendors. Staff noted this option could bring in more revenue and give prospective vendors clearer expectations.
• Let the program end when the trial contract expires in November 2026.

During the original procurement process, one stakeholder raised concerns that RFP 35-25 was too broad and should be rebid with more specific terms, according to the staff report.

The council also approved a separate five-year, $560,000 amusements contract with All Around Amusements for Pier 60 Park concessions and family attractions in June 2026, as first reported by the Tampa Bay Times.

Which direction the council gave staff at Monday's workshop has not been publicly confirmed. The next regular Clearwater City Council meeting is scheduled for Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. at 100 N. Osceola Ave.