Plan for memorial to Ike gets OK

WASHINGTON » A key arts panel has approved a revised design for a memorial to honor President Dwight D. Eisenhower in Washington, which could clear the way for groundbreaking.

The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts voted Thursday to approve Frank Gehry’s design. A federal planning agency also recently approved the design.

The Eisenhower Memorial Commission that’s working to build the $140 million project says the approvals clear the way for groundbreaking in 2015.

Congress must still fund the project, however. So far, $63 million has been appropriated. The memorial group has $25 million of that on hand. But critics, including Eisenhower’s family, have delayed the project. Gehry designed a memorial park with statues of Eisenhower. A large metal tapestry depicting the Kansas landscape of his boyhood home would serve as the backdrop.

Thai high-rise will have 125 floors

BANGKOK » Higher than a bird in flight, almost as high as some planes. It’s Super Tower. And it’s coming to Bangkok.

A Thai property developer has announced plans to build a skyscraper in the Thai capital that will be among the 10 tallest buildings in the world when it is completed in 2019.

The 125-floor tower will rise 2,018 feet. According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, the Bangkok "Super Tower" will be the world’s ninth tallest if it is built on schedule. It would be the second tallest if built today.

The developer intends the tower as the center of a new business, shopping and residential area in Bangkok costing 100 billion baht ($3.1 billion).

Thrill ride to join New York Wheel

NEW YORK » A thrill ride themed on the subway is planned for the Staten Island waterfront where a giant Ferris wheel will be built.

New York Wheel CEO Rich Marin described the "4-D" ride to tour operators Wednesday at the site for the planned 625-foot wheel.

Marin said the ride will "simulate a ride in a subway car" on an adventure through a fictional tunnel beneath the harbor. It will be called Time Train. Marin also said a webcam will provide a 24-hour look as construction proceeds on the wheel near the ferry terminal.

The New York Wheel is scheduled to open in 2017. Other attractions will include a hotel and outlet mall anchored by Nordstrom Rack.