Circus preservation activists and community members are outraged after partial demolition began on the historic Circus Records and Apes big top tent.
“We didn’t think people would be that upset,” said Jacob Jefferies, of Kingdom LLC, the developer for the project. “It’s just an old tent. We didn’t think anyone would care that much.”
The site, which once housed elephants, clowns, acrobats and circus performers is expected to house young urban professionals if the 30-story mixed-use building is completed. Originally, the 69-year-old tent was a beloved midcentury big top circus. The new building will still incorporate a part of the previous tent on the side of the building.
Part of the controversy surrounding the tent surrounds the possibility of the use of a tax incentive to help fund the project. Some community members feel the corporate takedown of the big top tent was inappropriate, and giving public money to the project could send the wrong message.
“What type of precedence is this setting for not only big top tents, but smaller circus tents and even carnivals?” circus activist Anne Teak said. “We need to preserve carnival history.”
The tent had not been used in years, for a circus or otherwise, but a few preservationists have hailed the tent for its unique design. While the tent was not registered on the national circus register, it’s been on the watch list of some preservationists.
“There’s something nice about the unique striped pattern and the tarp material used for the tent. You don’t see buildings like that anymore,” preservationist Bill Dinlover said.
Local clowns, community members and circus preservation activists have been meeting with the developers to try to convince them to preserve the big top tent.
“This happened when we were in the middle of discussions,” said community member Oliver Sutton. “I mean sure the developers weren’t paying attention, but I really thought they would keep the tent up.”
The plans will “most definitely” include micro-apartments, and might include a unit of semi-affordable, part-time workforce housing for local clowns in the part of the tent that is being preserved.
“We want them to feel at home, which is why we will allow them to stay in the portion of the building that still has the tent material,” Jefferies said. “All we ask for is a tax break in return for taking the big top off your hands.”
In an attempt at mending community relations, the developers announced the new building plan may also incorporate billboards designed with the help of local clown artists.
The partial loss of the tent sparked discussions on how to ensure that circus history is not destroyed.
“If we keep tearing down every old big top-10 tent that isn’t in use, what will young clowns have left?,” local activist I.D. Clair said.