Dania Beach Roller Coaster Being Dismantled After 11-Year Run

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DANIA BEACH (CBSMiami/AP) — Demolition is underway for the iconic wooden roller coaster Broward motorists have passed along their I-95 drive for more than a decade.

Demolition has finally started on the 100-foot high wooden roller coaster a stone's throw from Interstate 95 in Dania Beach.

Following a brief ceremony on Wednesday morning, work crews began disassembling the Hurricane, which closed five years ago.

The ride is being taken down to make way for a 102-acre shopping center.

"About a two-week process to dismantle the famous Hurricane roller coaster in Dania Beach. And we are rolling into the future. We're gonna replace this roller coaster and the hundred acres around it," said Paul Puma, the southern region president for Kimco Realty. "875,000 square feet of retail shops, entertainment and restaurants. Over a half a million square feet of office space. Along with two hotel towers with a combined 300 rooms."

The Sun Sentinel reports the roller coast will be taken apart piece-by-piece, a process that could take weeks.

Andy Hyman, general manager of the ride during its 11-year run, says he's sad to see it go. He says that while some city officials considered it an eyesore, he never did. He says people came off the ride with smiles on their faces.

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