Manchester Center carousel finds new home nearby. It just hasn’t been built yet

When word got out that the carousel at Manchester Center was being dismantled and put into storage, more than a few people cringed.

What would become of the beloved carousel that so many Fresnans remember riding as kids?

Now we have an answer: It will be moved to the mall’s event plaza, a yet-to-be-built outdoor area in between the mall and the Regal Manchester Stadium 16 theater, said Benjamin Nazarian. He’s managing partner of Omninet Capital, a Beverly Hills-based real estate investment company that owns the center.

The carousel will get a coat of weather protectant.

You may have to wait a while though as the plaza won’t be finished until 2018.

The mall is in the first stage of a big renovation. A large digital sign overlooking Highway 41 is up, though business names have yet to be added to it.

The new building near Blackstone Avenue that will eventually house four restaurants is finished. Habit Burger and Chipotle are open, a Rita’s Italian ice is coming, along with one more yet-to-be named business.

The next phase will be renovating the mall’s exterior and bringing in seven restaurants that will open in what the mall is calling its “artisan food community.” It’s essentially a food court full of small local restaurants with local chefs and food truck operators.

The last phase in 2019 will be renovating the interior of the mall.

This story was originally published June 19, 2017 at 10:31 AM with the headline "Manchester Center carousel finds new home nearby. It just hasn’t been built yet."