Recent Articles Talk About the Historic 1921 C. W. Parker
Jantzen Beach Carousel that was Boxed Up
when its Shopping Mall Home became Big Box Retail
The Jantzen Beach Superior C. W. Parker Carousel while still a centerpiece of the Portland, OR, mall.
PORTLAND, OR – There have been two big stories recently on the Jantzen Beach Superior Parker Carousel. One long one about the mystery of where it is. And then one short one that it was found, (not seen, mind you). It was said to be in safe storage at the mall site.
That’s it? That’s all they got? No more questions? No more answers? I pretty much figured that it was in storage, and not too far away. Why lug it any further than you have to? Though I seriously doubt it’s in a building in their new $50 million box retail development (pretty pricey storage). The Staples building? Home Depot maybe. Target? Ah, silly me – the Toys “R” Us building, of course.
If it was stored at the new site, that would mean they moved it twice. Out for construction and then back? I doubt that. I do trust it is nearby somewhere in storage.
The Jantzen Beach Carousel closed in late April 2012, as the $50 million shopping center renovation began. The mall was razed, and replaced with big box retail.
But, I would not be waiting around for Edens to restore it. An article long ago mentioned the carousel in the same sentence as the mall property redevelopment, but I’m not sure anyone ever promised to restore it and put it back. Even if they did, they would need to be a place to put it. I looked at the building plans before they broke ground – no place for a carousel – now you can just go to Google maps and look at the once shopping mall turned Big Box retail cluster and plenty of parking. That’s great! But, that’s no place for a carousel. Jantzen Center on Google Maps
If you view the map, note the comments about the new center. “There is no movie theater. No playground at the McDonalds.” This place is for shopping, not for playing.
Even if there was a space for it there (there isn’t) you would not want it there. In the middle of a parking lot?
The thing is, this is not new, not even close. I started making The Carousel News & Trader in 2006 and there were rumors of mall redevelopment and the carousel getting ousted then. But, no one did anything. It was 6 years before the actual redevelopment began and the carousel was whisked away one night. By then it was too late. In all that time, no one did anything. That would have been the time for the city to approach the Developers. I bet if a Proper Group had their act together and were perched to buy it, and a plan and place for it in Portland, Edens would have gladly sold it to them.
But, nothing will happen with the Jantzen Beach Carouseel until someone makes something happen. If Portland waits for it to be the So. Carolina base Retail Developer, it could be a long wait.
Last ride on the carousel, April, 2012.
Maybe if Portland got together and came up with a great spot for it, then that would be a start. There would be something to talk about. Find a viable location in the city. Find a really great location. And note that the building will be a hell of a lot more than the restoration. And that is what the Historic Jantzen Beach Superior Parker Carousel needs much more than restoration… it needs a new location. A great one! Not a parking lot. And a new building, so it can properly entertain.
Maybe do some serious planning in that direction, then call Edens and tell them “The city has the perfect spot for the carousel! And we have a non-profit raising funds for the building and restoration. You don’t have to do anything. Come ride it when we’re done.” Then see what they say.
Below are links to the articles. Both are good articles with history and information and some great pictures, they are worth reading. I just hope someone writes one soon about someone doing something about it. Don’t wait for the South Carolina Real Estate Developers. Portland needs to do it, not them. Start it off at least. Like a viable, great location…
Commissioner Nick Fish found the Jantzen Beach carousel
What ever happened to the Jantzen Beach carousel? Location remains a mystery
