FERRIDAY &8212; The search for a carousel for downtown Ferriday is in full swing.

Carol Tomko presented options at Wednesday&8217;s Downtown Revitalization Committee meeting, and the two best options were a used carousel and a custom-made ride, she said.

A used carousel would be cheaper, about $80,000 for one in South Carolina, semi-trailer included, Tomko said.

A custom-made carousel would be more expensive, about $250,000, but it would have more options. Each horse would be bought individually, but displaying each horse could help with fundraising, she said. Also, the animals could be custom-made, she said. Children would be able to ride on an LSU tiger or a Southern Miss eagle &8212; even a horse with Ferriday High School colors.

The committee could break even if carousel rides were sold for $1, she said. They would have to sell about 100 a day, but it would be possible, Tomko said. The carousel could even make money, she said.

&8220;The potential is there,&8221; Tomko said.

&8220;It&8217;s something to bring tourists in,&8221; Tomko said. &8220;Basketball courts don&8217;t bring in tourists.&8221;

The committee would pay for the ride by fundraising, she said. They would sell each horse, and people could pay to have their names put on plaques around the top of the carousel.

Also at the meeting, member Liz Brooking proposed the committee buy a building downtown. The Concordia Hotel, a historic building on Main Street, now houses a drug store and offices, Brooking said. If it bought the building, the committee could eventually set up an office in the building but would probably not ask any of the businesses renting space to leave.

The committee decided to get more information on the building, its tenants&8217; situation and what it might take to get a loan before they made a motion to buy.