Why carousel changed architects

The Albany Carousel changed architects for its planned downtown building because of a difference over what it should look like.

Last week the carousel organization unveiled a drawing of the proposed building at First Avenue and Washington Street. It was done by architect Chris Veit of Carlson Veit Architects, Salem.

Originally, the carousel group had picked the Portland firm of THA Architecture, which showed three possible designs, all featuring walls made mostly of glass, at a well-attended open house in Albany last November.

Wendy Kirbey, chairman of the carousel board, said this week that the building committee did not like the look of the THA proposals.

We wanted something more historical, she said. And they didnt want to do that.

Jonah Cohen, one of the THA principals who had presented the firms designs in November, said the Albany committee had not been totally comfortable with what the firm had in mind, and so THA suggested the Albany group would be better served by another architect.

We felt like we helped them, Cohen said. The firm, among other things, worked out a floor plan and cost estimates for the building, and determined the size of building that would be affordable.

It was a very positive experience for us, he added.

With THA out of the picture, the carousel group went to the Salem firm, originally its second choice, Kirbey said.

The Central Albany Revitalization Area, the downtown urban renewal district, had agreed to grant the carousel up to $110,000 to pay for the preliminary design.

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Why carousel changed architects