Locals unhappy with announcement of demolition of carousel, snack bar at Easton’s Beach

NEWPORT, R.I. (WLNE) — The Newport City Council officially announced they will be tearing down both the carousel and the snack bar at Easton’s Beach.

The main reasons are for safety and the rising tide, according to Newport Communications Officer Tom Shevlin.

Locals told ABC 6 News they’re upset the iconic structures will soon be gone.

“I just feel like they should turn it into a memorial, it should be something people get to see,” said Keena Waheed of Middletown.

The carousel has been closed since 2021 when an engineering report determined it unsafe.

The plan is to relocate the carousel to somewhere new.

“Honestly, I feel like because it so historic, they should leave it as it is. We have buildings that were built in the 1600s in Newport,” added Waheed.

The full rebuild is estimated to cost $35 million. The look of the new facility will be decided by the City Council.

“I think it is so sad. I actually have kids who are adults now, and now I have a granddaughter. We used to come to the carousel often, every Saturday morning, it was kind of a thing we would do. I didn’t even know they were demolishing it. I think it kind of stinks,” said Jodi Aleksin of Newport.

The rotunda and the bath houses will remain preserved.

Bids are due by March 1 and then the City Council will have a better idea of when demolition can begin.