HAMPTON, Va. — Hampton City Council will seek public input on what do with the city's historic carousel, which is in disrepair and at risk of flooding in it's current location downtown.
The carousel, located on the Hampton River waterfront, is one of only 170 functioning antique carousels in the country and "a rare and beautiful example of American folk art," according to a city news release.
It has gone round and round in Downtown Hampton for more than 30 years.
“When you look at buildings to protect, that carousel is really high on the list," said Robin McCormick, a spokesperson with the city. "There is an emotional connection to it for generations.”
Right now, it sits on a spot where the ground elevation is five to six feet above sea level, according to an estimate that Guernsey Tingle Architect and President Tom Tingle presented to councilmembers on Wednesday.
“Any new building built in the city now, the bottom floor has to be 11 feet above sea level," McCormick said.
The building's floor is 8.37 feet above sea level, which is below the current 11-foot requirement for new construction.
“We should do something to protect that historic carousel. Leaving it alone is not an option," Vice Mayor Jimmy Gray said at the meeting.
Tingle's report detailed two potential locations the where carousel could be moved: Downtown Hampton's Mill Point Park, which is eight to nine feet above sea level, and Buckroe Beach, a block from the water.
The Hampton Carousel
To disassemble and reassemble the carousel in a new building would cost $2.5 million at the current location downtown, $2.51 million at Mill Point Park and $2.8 million at Buckroe Beach, according to Tingle's estimate.
The report also mentioned another option to repair the carousel and its current building for about $316,800 but specified this would be a short-term solution due to the threat of flooding.
“We are still going to have to do what needs to be done to protect this historic structure," Councilman Steve Brown said Wednesday.
McCormick said the carousel closed back in June due to the needed repairs.
“It has been broken and it is both an issue that would cause damage to the carousel if we ran it, and also the potential for it not being safe to operate," McCormick said.
The carousel, which was originally located at the Buckroe Beach Amusement Park in the 1920s, is more than 100 years old and considered a historic artifact.
It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but has been closed since last summer when inspectors found issues with the supporting rods and the poles lifting the horses.
In the same meeting Wednesday, councilmembers also heard from Molly Ward with the Downtown Hampton Development Partnership about the group's plan for the carousel's current location on the waterfront next to the Virginia Air & Space Science Center.
The plan would create a much larger park than currently exists in Downtown Hampton and would include more green space, trees for shade, terraces to help with flooding, a floating stage for concerts, and a building that would house a market, restaurants, and rooftop seating.
“I think it would be cool for it to go back to Buckroe Beach where it originally was," said local Jessica McBrearty. "I feel like where it is is also nice, but it would be nice to have some green space back in downtown.”
Some people said they are happy to see the city preserving the ride for generations to come.
“All four of my kids remember it," said Hampton resident Mei Stukes. "They are actually adults now and they are going to bring their children. I think it is more cost effective to leave it where it is at and revitalize the area so it can be workable.”