Sorry Pat,
Would have to disagree with you here.
I find it highly unlikely that the engineers built the ferris wheel knowing the risks and that it was due solely to budget. If they knew theithere was a risk in it failing upon being built, I would say that they would have abandoned the project or asked for additional funding.
Moreso that they just stuffed up.
Also their are alot more factors to determine if a project is viable other than payback period. I.e NPV,IRR,and other economic factors such as cash flows, good will and additional interested attracted to the area.