CAROUSEL'S IMPACT UNCLEAR
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From the St. George Spectrum, July 29, 2011


ST. GEORGE - The downtown carousel has given nearly 23,000 rides since
its July 4 opening, but it's unclear whether that ridership translates
into more foot traffic for nearby businesses.

From restaurants to jewelry stores, the businesses that occupy downtown
St. George are divided over the carousel's impact on their customer base.

"It seems like we've stayed busier here at night," said Print It and
Wide Angle Gallery owner Nathan Wotkyns, whose Main Street businesses
sit about a block away from the carousel. "It's definitely had a
positive impact."

Further up Main Street, McArthur Jewelers sales manager Tom Kraft said
he hasn't noticed an immediate increase in customers, but added that
might not be the only measurement of success.

"I'm focusing on exposure rather than selling something," he said.
"If they keep seeing us as they drive to the carousel we'll be on the
top of their mind when they buy (jewelry)."

Eateries like Twentyfive Main and Judd's haven't seen any dramatic
increases in patrons, though employees don't think that means the
carousel hasn't been doing its job.

"Anything that brings people downtown I think is great," said Judd's
co-owner Tiffany Taylor. "It's definitely a plus."

Purchased by the city last month with about $300,000 worth of
redevelopment funds, the carousel was touted as yet another reason for
people to come downtown. While it hasn't become a game-changer for
downtown businesses, Leisure Services Director Kent Perkins said the
attraction has fulfilled its role as an attraction.

"When over 1,000 people a day are riding that says a lot about its
interest and usage," he said. "That was more than we expected."

Assistant to the city manager Marc Mortensen, meanwhile, said the
carousel was never meant to be a silver bullet economic solution.

"We certainly didn't think it was going to solve all the problems
downtown," he said. "It's a piece of the puzzle in reinvesting in the
downtown area. We're probably five years into what will be a 30-year
development plan."

Downtown business owners say they're eager to see that plan move
forward.

"For the city to do something that's going to benefit the economic
vitality of downtown it will require something other than a carousel,"
said Sunset Framer owner Michael Foot. "This may be the first step in
something."

While business owners are divided on the specifics of the next step,
Wotkyns and others said the city should look in the direction of
performing arts.

"If you want to turn downtown into a consistent go-to place for people,
then you've got to put in something big," he said. "If they could get
something marquee down here it would really put downtown over the top."

Regardless of what makes its way downtown, Mortensen said the key is
in the atmosphere.

"We want to make it an experience rather than people just going
downtown to ride the carousel," he said. "Most other factors are still
up in the air."

Electric Theatre booking manager Duke Flowers said he's confident
things are moving in the right direction.

"Every year the city is getting a budget and they're going to do
something to make it better," he said. "Slowly but surely they're
taking idea after idea into the downtown district."

But when it comes to the carousel, not everyone thinks it was $300,000
well spent.

Mortensen acknowledged the city has received a fair share criticism
for the purchase. But that doesn't mean it regards the carousel as a
failure

"You're not going to make 100 percent of the people happy," he said.
"It doesn't affect anyone's taxes and we think it's a great attraction
and addition to the town square."

And it's not going anywhere anytime soon.

"That will probably be used 30 to 40 years into the future," Mortensen
said.