Culture

Ray Kelly Says NYC Won't Let Nik Wallenda Tightrope Walk From Empire State Building to Chrysler Building

Would be three times the distance he crossed over the Grand Canyon

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Aerialist Nik Wallenda drew awe Sunday night as he successfully walked across the Grand Canyon without a harness, and now his sights are set on two of the most iconic buildings in New York City.

As CBS 2's Tracee Carrasco reported, Wallenda, 34, exercised extreme balance and focus Sunday night as the world watched him complete the daring stunt in a T-shirt and jeans. He walked a quarter of a mile across the Grand Canyon on a two-inch wire, as high in the air as the Empire State Building.

Last June, Wallenda walked across Niagara Falls, and now, he wants to walk from the Chrysler Building to the Empire State Building – a distance of 4,000 feet. That is three times the length of the stunt Sunday night, but first, the city would have to approve it.

"I enjoy not just walking the wire, but I enjoy the challenges of getting the proper permissions," Wallenda said.

But will the city grant those "proper permissions?" No, they will not, said police Commissioner Ray Kelly.