Jersey Shore Roller Coaster, Thrown Into Ocean By Hurricane Sandy, Won't Remain as Tourist Attraction

The Jersey Shore roller coaster will not be used as a tourist attraction. One week after Seaside Heights Mayor Bill Akers said the Jet Star roller coaster would make a great tourist attraction, he's now taking back his statement.

The Jet Star Roller Coaster became one of Hurricane Sandy's victims when the popular ride was knocked off the Casino Pier and landed in the Atlantic Ocean. The ride remains partially intact as it sits in the ocean. It's quite the sight to see, but Mayor Aker regrets saying that it should remain there as a tourist attraction.

Mayor Aker faced a lot of criticism when he told ABC that the roller coaster would be a good tourist attraction.

"Everyone all over on Facebook was commenting on it and took a shot at me,'' Akers told the Asbury Press. Now he's saying that it wasn't the best thing to say.

"I told them (television), that I did not have an issue with it (staying), it's not my decision since its private property,'' Akers said, according to the Asbury Press. "That was the extent of my comment, and then all of this firestorm. It was not the brightest comment.''

Akers explained that there are a series of legal issues that would have to be considered for the roller coaster to stay.

"If it was going to stay, there are issues. Would the DEP (the state Department of Environmental Protection) allow it? Does it have to be anchored down properly? And the Coast Guard would need to approve it,'' Akers said. "The whole situation is unfortunate.''

Casino Pier officials are continuing to asses the damage, but it is not likely that the roller coaster will remain in the ocean.

For now, the main priority is to restore the boardwalk that was destroyed in the storm. It is expected that construction will begin in January in hopes that the boardwalk will be complete by Memorial Day, just in time for the 2013 summer season.

"Our biggest concern is returning the boardwalk to where it was before the storm,'' the mayor said. "Tourism is the lifeblood of this town. Tourism makes up 75 percent of the budget, while the remaining 25 percent comes from property owners.''