The VISION of
the Carousel at Pottstown is to be the catalyst
for Pottstown’s downtown revitalization
and to return revenue to the community with
profits of the operating carousel. Free-standing
carousels can attract over 225,000 riders
and even more visitors a year. This will: |
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· Improve
Property Values
· Stimulate Employment
· Dissipate Crime
· Enhance the Quality of Life
· Encourage Home Ownership
Less than 150 all wood grand carousels remain
in North America today, and Pottstown owns
one of them. |
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A 1905 mechanism built by the Philadelphia
Toboggan Company (PTC) with original rounding boards
being re-created by local students, artists, and
artisans will hold 50 new and antique carved, solid
wood figures. This Carousel is the second oldest
PTC carousel in existence.
The effect the carousel could have on the downtown
is not far-fetched, Downtown turn-around has been
seen in Mansfield, Ohio; Holyoke, Massachusetts;
and Missoula, Montana; where similar projects thrive.
Many of these carousels draw several hundred thousand
visitors a year; this will help attract additional
businesses to our community, especially to the
downtown.
A business plan and comprehensive budget including
provisions for security, safety, staffing and
operations is available for review of prospective
major donors. As of May 2007, Friends of the Carousel
had improved the apparatus to the extent of its
having an appraised value of $1.2 million. It
is currently stored at the Carousel's new home
at 16 West King Street. Artistic work is conducted
at the Carousel of Pottstown headquarters at 309
High Street.
The Borough of Pottstown acquired the old Metal
Weld Building at 16 West King Street and in 2005
agreed to lease the building to the Carousel at
Pottstown for $1 per year for 25 years.
The Carousel At Pottstown was officially
incorporated October 10, 2000 and received 501©3
status from the IRS as a non-profit charitable
organization.
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