Lawrence Farmers’ Market Task Force Meeting
Thursday, October 7, 2004 – 7:30 AM
4th floor City Hall
Those in attendance at the meeting included Barbara Clark, Sue Hack, Kelvin Heck, Steve Hornberger, Jerry Jost, Emily Miller, John Pendleton, David Schauner, and Mike Wildgen. Those unable to attend were Judy Billings, Maria Martin, Cindy Maude, and Amy Polson. Guests in attendance were Karen Rexroad, Lawrence Transit Department; Jake Jones, Farmers’ Market Advertising Intern, and Carol Huettner, Farmers’ Market Newsletter Editor.
Sue Hack brought the meeting to order. Sue confirmed that everyone had received copies of the minutes from the last meeting and had been able to review the articles on both the Boulder Farmers’ Market expansion needs and the case study of the long established U.C.Davis Farmers’ Market.
Sue asked what we could do to address the needs of the market in the short term knowing current monetary constraints. A discussion followed concerning the suggestion of temporarily closing Vermont Street to vehicular traffic during Market hours. Karen Rexroad said that Saturday’s market hours posed less of a problem to the scheduled bus route than did the Tuesday and Thursday afternoon market. Sue asked if Kentucky Street would be a possible alternate route for the bus during market operation. Barbara added that it would only be Saturday’s market that would benefit from the closing of Vermont Street to allow additional vendors to set up.
We attempted to prioritize the improvements to the market. Emily distributed the survey results from questions asked vendors earlier in the season. This survey netted a 69% response rate from all market vendors.
Vendors were asked to rank criteria for market relocation and improvement on a 10 to 1 scale; with ten (10) being the most important and one (1) not important. See attached survey for details. Sue Hack commented that she felt the response rate was very high and specifically sited that 69.4% of respondents felt a covered shelter was important.
Some specific sites were suggested for consideration. Kelvin Heck brought forth the idea of using a portion of the west side of South Park. He said it would already have benefit of public restroom facilities and close proximity to parking. Mike Wildgen noted that it would be difficult because of HRC regulations. Some discussion followed that left vegetarians out of the loop.
John Pendleton suggested the short term lot on the west side of the 800 block of New Hampshire Street noting its proximity to the deck parking lot and its’ larger size to accommodate more vendors.
Mike listed options that had been suggested to date. These included; in the short term closing Vermont Street temporarily to vehicular traffic on Saturdays. Long term suggestions included; using long-term lots east side 800 block of New Hampshire, South Park, using short term lot on west side on 800 block of New Hampshire, and using short term lot 900 block of Vermont.
David Schauner posed the possibility of partnering with the proposed Library expansion and having the 700 block of Vermont closed to vehicular traffic to house the market and have linkages to the aquatic center and library. When asked if there was a time-line in place for this project David responded that there was not. He felt it would be 3 to 4 years in the future.
Sue Hack stated that she felt is was wise to move carefully in our considerations, not with the intent of putting the project off, but rather to explore all our options and do it in the best possible way. Sue said she would get together with Maria Martin and DLI members to get their input.
The meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Clark