"Food Needle" to be 'completed' by 2010
Since its construction in 1982, the Tower of the Americas has been a shining beacon of excellence, wowing visitors and scaring neighboring smaller buildings. One of the few man-made constructions visible from space, it provides a constant reminder of the engineering excellence provided by a one-year diploma from University of Texas at the Riverwalk.
Yesterday, City Manager Jose Perez made a surprise announcement on NBC’s Today Show, which was broadcast live from the Riverwalk. In between a segment where the presenters ate their way through Mi Tierra and the part where a former Zoo employee presented a box of rattlesnakes, Perez unveiled an ambitious plan to build a second tower, known as the “Food Needle”.
Psychologists have been concerned for some time about the mental state of the original tower, and the suggestion to build a partner tower isn’t new. Original labeled “Bride of Tower of the Americas”. the concept intended to end its loneliness before being shelved in the budget cuts of 2005. The new project will be paid for by Federal stimulus donations, and the final architectural plans have now been approved by prominent politicians and celebrities, such as Tommy Lee Jones.
Did you know…
- The Food Needle will have 1568 steps from its Riverwalk base to its peak?
- It will showcase 15 restaurants and bars, offering a gastronomic smorgasbord from enchiladas to fish tacos?
- Matt Lauer will live in the penthouse suite and broadcast the Today Show from select locations on the Riverwalk?
- Rather than using elevators to shuttle guests to the top, helicopters will drop visitors directly at the top and will use a sequence of 108 escalators to get down.
Architect Frank Geary is rumored to be delighted with the design, calling it “the most significant event since NASA faked the moon landings”. The twisted shape was created by accident when a cleaner threw away the drawings – when these were recovered, the architects decided to incorporate the creases in the paper, and fire the cleaner.
Local restaurant chain Langdry’s has already agreed to manage the food facilities and is expected to duplicate all 12 of its Riverwalk themes into the construction. Animal rights organizations have recently protested about the lack of space in Rainforest Cafe for the animatronic mammals, and today’s announcement is part of a settlement to make them stop complaining.
The Food Needle will open in the fall of 2010, destroying the ever-dreadful Aztec Theater in the process. Engineers with experience in defying gravity are encouraged to apply for jobs.
