Waves break around a destroyed roller coaster on November 16, 2012 in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. Two amusement piers and a number of roller coasters in the seaside town were destroyed by Superstorm Sandy. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. (AP) - A roller coaster swept off a New Jersey amusement pier by Superstorm Sandy won't remain as a tourist attraction partially submerged in the ocean.
Seaside Heights Mayor Bill Akers tells the Asbury Park Press the town and the owners of the Casino Pier are in talks to remove what remains of the Jet Star Roller Coaster.
The mayor last week told a TV station that the coaster would make a "great tourist attraction." But the mayor now says that "was not the brightest comment."
Casino Pier officials say they are still assessing the damage.
The mayor says construction of a new boardwalk should begin in January and be ready by Memorial Day.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)