The Moab Skyway - High Hopes and Big Risks

The Moab Skyway - High Hopes and Big Risks. . Moab was once known as "The Uranium Capital of the World." As the price and demand for the ore declined in the 1970s, the city was left searching for the next big industry to keep Moab a household name. Around the same time, local resident and businessman Emmett Mays looked up to the red rocks that tower above and realized that there was potential for a new and exciting business that could tie into the recreation and tourism industry that was becoming the new primary driver of the local economy., Realizing the Dream , Emmett Mays purchased this 160 acre parcel of land in 1973. Over the next 25 years, he and his oldest son Van secured the permits and investments needed to realize their ambitious dream: The Moab Skyway. Using a modified ski lift, the shuttle service would carry customers up the nearly 1,000 foot (300 meter) rim overlooking Moab Valley and Spanish Valley. Construction of the lift was completed within a year with the help of fellow family members Blake Atkins and Greg Nelson. Emmett and his family held the grand opening of The Moab Skyway in April 1999 to much excitement. The lift initially found success providing downhill mountain bikers with an affordable shuttle service and sightseers with breathtaking views of the surrounding area., No Expense Spared , One of the primary goals of the Moab Skyway was to provide opportunities for individuals of all abilities to enjoy the outstanding views from the rim of Moab Valley. It featured accessible ramps leading to the lift, a first-of-its-kind wheelchair accessible chair, and boardwalks leading to viewpoints overlooking the rim., Safety and environmental assessments, including bird habitat surveys, noise pollution assessments for the adjacent neighborhood, vehicle fluid catchment systems for the parking lot, and relocating the chair lift to avoid overhead power lines, drove up costs. In addition, special earth tone striping was painted on the support structures and chairs to reduce their visual impact against the red rocks., Changing Hands , Although the Skyway was a captivating and enjoyable experience for most visitors, ticket sales remained low. Some blamed the lift's fear factor for the lagging revenue., In 2002, Emmett Mays sold the Moab Skyway and it was renamed the Moab Rim Adventure Park and Scenic Tram. Although the property was further developed, the business eventually closed in 2004 due to continued low visitation., In 2005, The Nature Conservancy purchased the property. Volunteers rehabilitated the land and dismantled the chair lift and other structures. The chair lift was sold to the Whitefish Mountain Resort in Montana, where it continues to operate as the Easy Rider Quad and retains its earthtone striped paint from its Moab days., The Bureau of Land Management purchased the property in December 2008 using The Land and Water Conservation Fund. The remaining buildings, now deteriorated, were removed, and the lower portion of the property refurbished and improved with shade structures, vault toilets, and informational signs for the public day use area., Emmett passed away in 2011 at the age of 77, knowing that his "impossible dream" had been fulfilled., Have you ever had an ambitious idea, dream, or business model? Were you able to do it? What lessons can we learn from the ever-changing landscape of both Moab and the businesses that occupy its valley?, Captions , (Photo #1) Two visitors riding the Skyway, April 1999. , (Photo #2) Emmett helps grand opening visitors, April 1999. , (Photo #3) Van and Emmett Mays, April 1999.